Jose Mourinho insisted that Manchester United had emerged from their trip to Skopje for the UEFA Super Cup a better team despite the scoreline being 2-1 at the end of 90 minutes.
The Portuguese manager had expected his team to struggle against the reigning European champions and they could have conceded more than just the goals scored by Casemiro and Isco, one in each half.
“I always say the Champions League is one thing and the Europa League is another, and the Champions League winner obviously has a different potential,” said ex-Real coach Mourinho, whose current team are back in Europe’s elite club competition this season.
“So for us to come here and do the positive things we did, I think we have to keep that positive feeling into the new season, and into the Champions League in September.
“I think this Super Cup was a great experience for us.”
“We have top teams with different qualities. There are no replicas of (Luka) Modric, (Toni) Kroos, Isco or Casemiro,” he said.
Mourinho was especially pleased with ex-Chelsea midfielder Matic, saying the Serb “moved the ball well and gave balance to the team to start building from the back”.
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