Jose Mourinho wants fiery atmosphere at Old Trafford as Manchester United boss sends fans another battle cry ahead of Liverpool game
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Jose Mourinho has again called on Manchester United fans to turn Old Trafford into a cauldron against Liverpool on Sunday.
The United manager felt that his team’s supporters were subdued in Tuesday’s home win over Hull City in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
And he urged them to raise the noise levels for Jurgen Klopp’s side after United faced a hostile reception when they played at Anfield in October.
Jose Mourinho wants a raucous Old Trafford atmosphere for the Liverpool game on Sunday
The Portuguese manager thought the crowd were slightly subdued against Hull City
‘Now is just a question of having a little bit extra in a match which for them means a little bit more,’ said Mourinho.
‘They have to make us feel that feeling we felt that at Anfield – we felt clearly for the Liverpool fans it was more than a match. Now we play at home we have a huge percentage of our fans compared with Liverpool fans. It’s for them that the match means something more.’
United trail their arch rivals by five points and four places in the Premier League table. While Mourinho wants the fans to make it a special occasion, he acknowledged that victory over Liverpool would be special too.
‘Three points plus the emotional side of it,’ he added. ‘The emotional side of it the fans and the players that are in the club for a long time. I think they understand the feeling better than I do.
Mourinho wants the Liverpool players to feel like his side did at Anfield earlier this season
‘But I’m here for a few months and I understand step by step the dimension of the feeling, that good rivalry. I always feel that rivalry is a very good thing for football.’
United stifled Liverpool in a goalless draw at Anfield but Mourinho didn’t want to be drawn on whether he would be happy with the same result on Sunday after nine straight wins in all competitions.
‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘If Liverpool are better than us, have more shots, is closer to winning the match than us, then a point is good. If we are the best team and dominate and have more chances, then a point is a bad result.
He refused to say whether he would be happy with another 0-0 draw against Liverpool
‘Some people say 0-0 is not a good game because no goals. I accept that way of analysing it, but it doesn’t mean I always agree with that. It depends on your criteria. A 0-0 can be a good game.’
Asked if United are a different proposition now, he replied: ‘Because the results are better than before changes a lot of things.
‘At that time I had less time of working together with my players. Now we know each other better, we have a certain way to think and play football.
‘We just don’t have good performances we have good results, we play at home not away. Little details that change a bit. But it’s a big match and let’s enjoy the match.’
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