Gone are the days when Sir Alex Ferguson could inspire a Manchester United victory over Tottenham with a simple three-word speech.
“Lads, it’s Tottenham!”
Indeed, over the last few years, Spurs have become an entirely different beast to contend with since Mauricio Pochettino took charge of the north London outfit in 2014.
Sunday saw the two sides face off in another crucial Premier League encounter once again and prior to the clash, the current Man United manager paid his opposite number a compliment Ferguson would have never openly admitted.
During his pre-match interview in the tunnel at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho surprisingly claimed that Tottenham were the best team in the Premier League.
“I think they are the best team in the Premier League, they are the most complete team,” Mourinho told Sky Sports, as per The Metro.
“Best defence but lots of quality in attacking areas, that’s why since last season I think that they, for me, at the best team in the league.”
Of course, Mourinho is no stranger to playing mind games and it wouldn’t be too surprising if his comments were supposed to provide Spurs with a false sense of security.
Whatever Mourinho’s intentions were, lavishing such praise on the team placed fifth in the league certainly drew plenty of reaction on Twitter.
Here are some of the best tweets:
When you hear José Mourinho say “”Tottenham are the best team in the Premier League” pic.twitter.com/36QK392qPf
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) December 11, 2016
Mourinho just said Tottenham are the best team in the league lol. Somebody give him bleach.
— Ra’id ⚽⚡️?? (@MesutsTouch) December 11, 2016
Mourinho says Tottenham is the best team in the premier league ??? They have 6 draws in 14 games. Mourinho is clueless.
— Haider (@HaiderKA) December 11, 2016
Jose Mourinho: “Tottenham are the best team in the Premier League”
Wow. He really knows jack shit about football— Callum (@Im_COB) December 11, 2016
Lmao Mourinho just called Tottenham the “best team in the league”
And United fans wonder why he keeps playing Fellaini.. he’s gone senile?— M.K.O???? (@Senor_Ola) December 11, 2016
If the Man United manager does genuinely believe Tottenham are the best side in the Premier League, he would have been even more impressed with his own team’s performance against them.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first half strike proved to be the only goal of the game to hand Mourinho’s men a very valuable three points at home.
Spurs struggled to create too many significant chances to test David de Gea and Mourinho left Old Trafford a very satisfied manager.