Jose Mourinho speaks out on Sir Alex Ferguson after Man Utd’s win over Middlesbrough

JOSE MOURINHO insisted Manchester United would have beaten Middlesbrough 3-1 if Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.

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Grant Leadbitter had given Boro a shock lead at Old Trafford, drilling home a low finish from Alavaro Negredo's knock down.

But Anthony Martial levelled proceedings for Manchester United before Paul Pogba headed into the top corner a minute later to seal a 2-1 win.

Manchester United boss Jose MourinhoGETTY

Jose Mourinho dedicated Man United's win over Middlesbrough to Sir Alex Ferguson

He deserves to come here and people to remember him

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho

And after the match Mourinho dedicated the win to Sir Alex, who was in the stands on his 75th birthday in the directors' box.

“Honestly, with Sir Alex I think the result is 3-1,” Mourinho said. 

"I’m happy for him – I congratulated him already. I joked 'happy 45th birthday'.

Sir Alex FergusonREUTERS

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands to watch Man United's win over Middlesbrough

"He deserves to come here and people to remember him. 

"Not just for the 75th birthday but also for the kind of football he played and the fact we managed to bring the fans to the pitch.

"He's enjoying his life and I'm happy we gave him happiness today and that people remember his time with the way we played in the last minutes."

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