The response, as United claimed a first win at home since the opening day of the season on 10 August, surprised Mourinho – although it was not, he says, one he necessarily wanted.
“At half-time we were losing 2-0 and the fans were magnificent to the team and that is fantastic,” said Mourinho.
Jose Mourinho got the text message he was hoping for. ? pic.twitter.com/DlFhegOwjN
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 6, 2018
“I’m amazed by that response [singing his name]. I don’t want that, and if I could tell them to not do it I would, because it is not about me, it is about the football club they love and the football club we represent with honour and dignity.
“In my football memories, I remember [as manager of Chelsea] I beat Liverpool at Anfield 4-0 and I was amazed the stadium was singing their song, but now I am in a situation where I’m losing 2-0 at home in a match everyone knows is important for us to win, and they were amazing.
“I am really grateful for that and my happiness about the victory is not for myself it is for the fans and the players.”
Three goals in a thrilling final 20 minutes earned the former Real Madrid manager a 400th victory of his managerial career, but with his side languishing eighth in the Premier league that landmark will go largely unnoticed.
And after enduring a difficult start to the season, Mourinho pointed to Italian side AC Milan to provide context for his side’s recent poor form.
“In the biggest clubs in the world there are periods with a lot of meat and periods with a lot of bones,” said the Portuguese.
⚫️⚪️Who’s to blame for the Magpies Second Half collapse?
Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez has been reflecting on their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United this evening.
Manchester United came from TWO down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford.#NUFC #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/x2l1L908cp
— BBC Newcastle (@bbcnewcastle) October 6, 2018
“If you look to history of AC Milan you don’t think it is normal that they are where they are.
“These football clubs, they are not made only of just victories and just difficult moments, but always with pride. Not just victories, always pride.
“They [the board] gave me a contract until July 2020. I have a contract to 2020, I didn’t point a pistol at them. They give me the contract because they wanted to give it me.”