Jose Mourinho will be taking Manchester United back to Wembley after they progressed past Hull City 3-2 on aggregate on Thursday.
Oumar Niasse helped Hull end United’s 17-game unbeaten run when he scored the match winner in the 85th minute after Paul Pogba had cancelled out Tom Huddlestone’s opener from the penalty spot.
‘I feel happy. We got to Wembley. We had a difficult draw, difficult opponents, difficult matches but we did it. We are there,’ Mourinho told MUTV after the match. ‘We beat three Premier League teams, which is not an easy run to be in the final. We started the game and the game was in the pocket, we were completely in control and then something happened to open the game and we then had to cope with the game being open. We did that well.’
Despite many labelling the EFL Cup as a lesser event, Mourinho wants his side to compete and ultimately lift every trophy they play for.
‘Every competition is important for me. Every match is important for me. It doesn’t really matter which competition it is but Wembley is Wembley. Wembley has, for professionals with passion for football, a special meaning and a special feeling. Of course, I’m happy to be there and happy to bring many thousands of our fans. I think also, for them, this is something that they always remember – going to Wembley.’
The United boss also praised Hull’s Tigers after they ended the visitors unbeaten run but still believes his side deserved to move into the final.
‘They [Hull] were a very good team in both matches but we have more power. We were the best team. We could have scored lots of goals in the first match and, today, as I was saying, the game was under control so we deserve to be in the final. I congratulate my players but I don’t want to analyse the performance too much.’
Mourinho also made mention of the club’s travelling fans, praising their passion despite freezing temperatures in the KCOM Stadium.
‘They were the best. Unbelievable! I don’t know if it was passion or the cold, or both together, but they were absolutely magnificent. I have no words for that incredible support,’ said Mourinho.
United face Wigan this weekend in the FA Cup, a match which sees former youth team coach Warren Joyce face his former employers. Mourinho confirmed that he will rotate his squad in order to make sure his side remains fresh as they look to defend the title they won last season.
‘It’s another difficult game against Wigan. They didn’t play, they are fresh, preparing and will be ready with special motivation for Warren [Joyce] and his players. Now we go home, it’ll take three hours to arrive, and have to prepare again. We will change some players and give some opportunities, some fresh legs to the team and, hopefully, we can do it.’
