Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has spoken of how he masterminded his side to Europa League success over Ajax
Sponsored by
JOSE MOURINHO has lifted the lid on how he masterminded Manchester United to Europa League success over Ajax.
The Red Devils boss has revealed that he watched the Dutch giants in action a staggering eight times, and how he wanted to create instability in their opponents.
United triumphed 2-0 in Stockholm last month with goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Mourinho has spoken how he urged Chris Smalling not to play out from the back, while also implementing a heavy pressing system.
He said to Portuguese news outlet Tribuna Expresso: "I watched eight Ajax matches. In England I tend to watch 2-3 matches because I already know the opponent, but not in Europe. To me, analysing the opponent is key because the way I practice and play is influenced by it.
"We wanted to create instability. We would let them play out from the back while blocking De Ligt, their right centre back, making them play through Davinson Sanches who had more trouble.
"We'd make our full back close down well that central space and if the ball entered a wide area for their winger, the full-back would close him down and Herrera would be the one covering that space in midfield.
"But what matters is that my players understand we cannot have doubts there - defensive creativity only in emergency situations.
MOST READ IN SPORT
"We prepare a game better when we're aware of our own weaknesses. Everyone said Ajax played beautiful football and that the beauty of the game matters.
"I told my players that, for me, beautiful is not giving our opponents what they want. I even joked with Smalling, 'With your feet, we're for sure not playing out from the back'.
"That's where we won the game. During the initial stage of build-up we never played from our centre-backs to our midfielders, because they are great at recovering possession pressing high.
"In our midfield they didn't recover the ball once. If the ball isn't there, what are they going to press?"
The victory marked the second major United honour for Mourinho in his first year in charge - after the EFL Cup victory.
They also secured a vital Champions League spot via success in Europe's second-tier competition after they endured a mediocre Premier League campaign, finishing sixth.
They are expected to be busy in the transfer market as they close in on a £35million deal for Benfica centre-back Victor Lindelof.
Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is also a key target this summer, though they will have to pay up to £80million for his services, after seeing a previous offer knocked back.