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Gary Neville compares Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho to boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather

MANCHESTER United hero Gary Neville has compared Jose Mourinho to Floyd Mayweather, who would look outsmart his opponents in the ring.

United flew out the blocks at the start of the campaign hitting 21 goals in their first seven league games.

 Gary Neville has compared Jose Mourinho to Floyd Mayweather
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Gary Neville has compared Jose Mourinho to Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty - Contributor

But the attacking football grinded to a halt at Anfield as many United fans and pundits accused Mourinho of parking the bus in the goalless draw against Liverpool.

The critics were out in force again after the vital home win against Spurs on Saturday, with some of the Old Trafford faithful accusing him of being negative against the Londoners.

That prompted the Special One to put his finger to his lips at the final whistle on Saturday sending a message to his critics to be quiet.

And Neville compared Mourinho's approach to recent big games to the boxing “Hall of Famer” who would sit back and wait for his opponents to make mistakes before pouncing during his unbeaten 50-fight career.

 Like Mourinho Floyd Mayweather sits back and looks to  outsmart his opponents
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Like Mourinho Floyd Mayweather sits back and looks to  outsmart his opponentsCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Jose Mourinho with finger to lips after Spurs win at Old Trafford
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Jose Mourinho with finger to lips after Spurs win at Old TraffordCredit: EPA
 Anthony Martial scored the late winner against Tottenham on Saturday
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Anthony Martial scored the late winner against Tottenham on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
 Jose Mourinho celebrates win against Spurs
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Jose Mourinho celebrates win against SpursCredit: Reuters

He said on Sky Sports: “I would say (Mauricio) Pochettino and (Jurgen) Klopp have reputations for being wonderful attacking coaches but Mourinho is a bit like Mayweather.

“Mayweather was called boring at times where he used defence as a weapon and let others tire themselves out.


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“Klopp in that game the other week didn't feel like he could fully go for it because he thought Mourinho could do him with a Mourinho masterclass.

“Tottenham lacked the belief to really go for it because I think it gets into their heads, 'I can't get done on the counter-attack, he'll do me'.

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“He deserves more respect. That little shush was ‘be quiet, I'm going to do it my way and we are going to win my way’.”

United take on winless Benfica in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday – knowing victory will confirm their progress to the knockout stages.

The Premier League side beat Benfica 1-0 in Portugal earlier this month and Mourinho could make changes to his side with the trip to Chelsea on Sunday in mind.

Jose Mourinho with 'finger to lips' gesture to camera after Spurs win
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