Mourinho mourns late Prince Phillip, expects tough Man United test

TOTTENHAM Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho paused his pre-match press conference on Friday express his condolences about the late husband of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, whose death at 99 years old was announced earlier in the day.

“Sorry I just read some sad news about Prince Philip,” the Portuguese said in the middle of the press conference.

“I want to express my condolences to the Royal family. To be very honest, I have a deep deep deep respect for the Royal family. All my condolences. It’s not just this country sharing this feeling.”

Mourinho’s press conference was ahead of side’s match against his former club Manchester United on Sunday in the Premier League. 

Although Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester United 6-1 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, Mourinho believes Sunday’s clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be close.

“We lost 2-1 at Old Trafford, with the penalty, and we draw 1-1 at home last season, also with a penalty,” he said.

“I think this is more the reality. We are not far from each other so I think it is going to be a difficult match for both.”

The former Chelsea manager suggested that his Old Trafford successor and current Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should not be motivated by vengeance for the 6-1 result.

“If Solskjær is going to use that result I don’t know,” Mourinho said.

“If it was the opposite, if it was my team losing 6-1 to them I would just say to my guys that it happened once and it’s not going to happen twice. This doesn’t reflect the reality.

 “It can happen — between two great teams, the results they can happen in an isolated way. I go much more in the direction of the other two previous matches between us and Manchester United.”

Tottenham Hotspur are in the hunt for a top four finish and a UEFA Champions League spot. 

They are currently sixth in the Premier League table with 49 points from 30 games, three points behind fourth-placed West Ham United and 11 points adrift of second-placed Manchester United.