JOSE MOURINHO has taken a sly swipe at his former club’s new star Bruno Fernandes.
The 57-year-old was asked about his Portuguese compatriot after arriving in the Iberian country for a post-season holiday.
Jose Mourinho was unhappy when Man Utd were awarded a penalty against his side last monthCredit: AFP or licensors
Fernandes has scored six penalties for the Red DevilsCredit: AFP or licensors
And the Tottenham boss was sure to comment upon what a good player Fernandes is.
But it wouldn’t be Mourinho without fitting in a little dig.
He told Record: “Bruno arrived, he adapted, he played very well.
“He improved the team and also proved to be a superb penalty taker, one of the best in the world in this exercise, because he was also granted about 20.”
As it happened, Fernandes bagged six of his ten Manchester United goals in all competitions from the penalty spot, while also laying on eight assists in his 20 appearances to date.
One of these spot kicks, however, happened to be against Spurs – when the sides drew 1-1 in North London on June 19.
At the time, Mourinho described it as a “strange” decision.
Man Utd set a new record for most penalties ever awarded in a Premier League season
He told the BBC: “I think difficult to find the word, I have to try to find a nice word – a strange penalty because the team was so compact, so well organised.”
And it wouldn’t be United’s last converted spot kick of the season either, as Fernandes’ effort against Leicester on Sunday, following Jonny Evans’ foul on Anthony Martial, clinched Champions League football for the Red Devils.
In doing so, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side also set a new record for most penalties ever awarded in a Premier League season.
Mourinho celebrated securing Europa League football for next season on SundayCredit: AFP – Getty
The previous tally of 13 had stood for 15 years, after being set by Crystal Palace in the 2004-05 season.
Leicester’s champions of 2015-16 equalled the total, but United’s haul of 14 this year is a new high.
And in all competitions United have been awarded a staggering 20 penalties – a number that could still go up as they continue their Europa League campaign next week.
Michail Antonio and Man Utd ace Bruno Fernandes joke about Paul Pogba handball in front of fuming Frenchman
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
