Jose Mourinho has replied critics of his style of football by insisting good defending is not a crime.
Mourinho told a news conference: “Not that I read it a lot, but sometimes when I read the press, not only English but Portuguese, I feel that sometimes defending properly is seen as a crime but it is not.
“That’s why we controlled the game because we defended properly and the goal was not against the current of the game, but we end up ending the game and we are almost qualified so that’s it.”
Mourinho added: “You think we have any reason not to be happy?
“We are happy, we have nine points, won the match, didn’t concede goals, the game was calm, team was compact, control and almost there.
“I think one more point to qualify maybe victory to finish first, so all good.”
Mourinho also hinted Phil Jones should be fit to face Huddersfield on Saturday despite dropping to the bench against Benfica because of a minor injury, but Eric Bailly, who has a groin problem, is set to miss out again.
Mourinho said: “Rashford, I thought it was cramps because he was running so much, it was about muscular fatigue, but he felt something in his knee but to me it doesn’t look a big thing.”
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