‘Bruno proved to be a great penalty taker, one of the best in the world… he had about 20 to take!’: Jose Mourinho takes a swipe at old club Manchester United over amount of spot-kicks they were awarded as he has his say on the £68m midfielder
- Jose Mourinho has taken another swipe at former club Manchester United
- The Spurs boss had a dig at United’s penalty record over the season
- Mourinho was asked about Bruno Fernandes when he made the comment
- The Portuguese midfielder has hit the ground running since joining United
Jose Mourinho has fired another shot at former club Manchester United, as the Tottenham Hotspur boss took a dig at Bruno Fernandes and United’s penalty record.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side sealed their place in the top four on Sunday after a Fernandes penalty and a stoppage time strike from Jesse Lingard was enough to oust Leicester City and secure Champions League football next season.
United have been in phenomenal form since the Premier League restart, with Fernandes the standout performer as the Red Devils went unbeaten in the final nine league matches.
Jose Mourinho has taken another dig at former club Manchester United over their penalties
The Red Devils sealed their place in next season’s Champions League with a win at Leicester
The January arrival has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in a mere 14 top flight appearances, signalling that United may be a force next season if he maintains that form.
And Mourinho has paid credit to his fellow countryman’s displays since arriving in England earlier this year.
‘Bruno came in, he was fit, played very well and improved the United team,’ he told Portuguese newspaper Record.
Bruno Fernandes has been a star performer for United since joining from Sporting in January
But Mourinho took a swipe at United’s penalty record and said Fernandes is very good at them
‘He also proved to be a great penalty taker, one of the best in the world, because he had about 20 to score!’
While there was no disputing the spot kick awarded at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, a few of United’s penalties have been questioned, including a dubious decision given in Fernandes’ favour when United beat Aston Villa after colliding with Ezri Konsa.
Mourinho was also on the receiving end of two penalty decisions when United drew 1-1 with Spurs in the first game back. The first saw Paul Pogba dragged back by Eric Dier before United were awarded a second penalty in injury time, although VAR overturned that decision.
Mourinho was angered by a penalty decision given for United when they played against Spurs
‘The second one was incredible for me. If VAR goes for simulation, the players could be exposed and given a yellow card,’ Mourinho said after the game. Fernandes comes from a country that I know well.’
It’s not the first time Mourinho has jibed at United’s penalty record. Earlier this month, when asked to compare United’s attack with Tottenham’s, the Spurs boss said: ‘United’s 13 penalties is a help. It’s a help!’
