Man Utd vs Tottenham: Jose Mourinho blasts Harry Kane question in cagey interview

JOSE MOURINHO hit back at questions on Sky Sports over Manchester United’s tactics for dealing with Tottenham in a cagey pre-match interview.

Man Utd vs Tottenham Jose Mourinho interviewGETTY / SKY SPORTS

Jose Mourinho (left) refuses to speak about Harry Kane's absence

Harry Kane will miss the match at Old Trafford in a big blow to Spurs.

The England international’s absence is seen as a major boost for Manchester United, who are favourites to win the clash.

But Mourinho refused to discuss how his United side will exploit Kane’s absence when asked for his thoughts by Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves before kick off.

Mourinho appears to have named a starting XI with three defenders and two wing-backs - seemingly a defensive approach - and Shreeves began the interview asking the boss about that.

“I’m not saying we play at three at the back. You are saying that, not me,” Mourinho said.

After a long pause and another question, the Portuguese added: “We want to win. We have to try. We know we are playing against one of the best, if not probably the best team in the league.

“Nothing can stop us thinking we can’t win. We are going to try. The approach will be that. We are gong to try to be dominant and going to try to win this match.

“Every match is one match independent of what happened last week and what can happen next week. We’ve played three matches away from home and only one point.

“We have to try to get three today but we know we have a difficult job.”

Shreeves then asked about Kane, saying: “How does the dynamic change facing a Tottenham team without Harry Kane?”

Mourinho said: “I don’t know. How does the dynamic change without Ibrahimovic, Rojo, Carrick, Pogba, Fellaini?”

Shreeves tried again, saying: “No, I mean in terms of how you face them today?”

To which Mourinho said: “Did you ask Mauricio (Pochettino) the same question in relation to my players that are not playing?”

“I haven’t interviewed him yet,” Shreeves revealed, which prompted Mourinho to respond: “So do it. Ask him how he approaches the game without Pogba, without Fellaini, without Ibrahimovic, without Rojo, without Carrick. Ask the same question to Mauricio.”

Man Utd vs Tottenham Jose Mourinho interviewREUTERS

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United side are in need of a Premier League result

Discussing Spurs, Mourinho wrapped up the frosty interview by saying: “They are a very good team, are god in every aspect of the game. They can defend very well and compact with a lot of players.

“The can counter attack very dangerously with the wingers and strikers. They are very good also by having the ball, keeping possessions of the ball from the opponent. They are very god physically and defending set pieces.

“They are a very complete team and to win against them you have to play close to perfection.”

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