A Portuguese journalist – one of Mourinho’s fellow countrymen – took the opportunity to put it to the Manchester United manager that his side’s start to the season was answering that accusation.
After all, United are top of the Premier League, having won all three matches so far this season, scored 10 goals conceding none.
And Mourinho made it clear that one of the things he is pleased about is that zero in the ‘goals conceded’ column.
The United boss considered the question, which was asked in a way that gave him a platform to shoot down critics who claim he puts the emphasis on defending, rather than attacking.
Mourinho responded in a measured way. He said: “Look, maybe people who say that are right, because my team is not conceding goals.”
And you just know the Special One is delighted about that.
Next up for United is a tricky away match at Stoke on Saturday.
And the first thing Mourinho will want is a clean sheet.
He would then fancy his side to have the fire∂power to score and maintain their perfect start to the season.
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MAURICIO POCHETTINO is a perfectionist – as he proved with last week’s signing of Argentina Under-20s defender Juan Foyth.
The Spurs boss wanted his fellow countryman from Estudiantes, whose potential he knew all about through his contacts in Argentina.
But the deal for Foyth, 19, had to be right and Pochettino originally thought it was going to get too expensive when mega-rich Paris St-Germain showed interest in the player.
But Foyth wanted to link up with Pochettino and Spurs eventually agreed a £8million deal to beat the summer transfer deadline.
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ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC is 36 next month but is more interested in playing than moving into coaching.
He has just signed a new contract with Man United and during those negotiations, the club raised the question of a coaching role.
But it is believed that one of the Swede’s remaining ambitions is to play until he is 40.
