'We’re not the dream team' - Jose Mourinho tries to dampen down expectations around Manchester United
Manager Jose Mourinho of Manchester United speaks during a press conference at Aon Training Complex on August 18, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has insisted his Manchester United team are still a work in progress, as he played down suggestions they are emerging as Premier League title favourites.
United were hugely impressive in their 4-0 win against West Ham on the opening weekend of the season, but Mourinho was eager to dampen expectations around his team ahead of Saturday’s game against Swansea.
“I’m too experienced and stable to lose my discipline, my stability and to think a 4-0 win really makes us the best team in the country, the favourites or the dream team,” said Mourinho.
“We’re not favourites, we’re not the dream team, we’re just a team with more confidence than last season, with more time of work together, but I’m calm.
“When I look to the last match, I like many, many things, but the challenge is not to repeat the result, because a 4-0 win is difficult to repeat in the Premier League, but to repeat the same kind of performance.
“We had good tactical discipline in the team, a really good clean sheet, played good football, had a good dynamic in attack, we were scoring goals, winning 1-0 and we kept playing to try to score more goals and to try to play well.
“I liked a lot. I liked the fact the three subs, who are normally disappointed people to be on the bench, even five minutes like Jesse Lingard, 10 like Anthony Martial or 15 like Marouane Fellaini, they performed at same level.
“But this is just the beginning. Last season we played three matches, had nine points and finished sixth.”
Mourinho also offered up positive injury news on long-term absentees Ashley Young and Luke Shaw, as he confirmed the duo are set to play for United’s under-23 team on Monday as they close in on a first team return.
