Jose Mourinho’s remarks to Ole Gunnar Solksjaer shocked him after Tottenham crushed Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford in October 2020.
Sunday’s Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham takes place just over three years after Jose Mourinho apologised to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Spurs’ crushing 6-1 victory at Old Trafford.
In October 2020, Mourinho—who had been in charge of United’s dugout for two and a half years—returned to his previous employers and delivered a severe lesson to the Red Devils. Bruno Fernandes’ penalty gave United the lead in the second minute, but Spurs responded with a resounding win, their largest in the Theatre of Dreams.
Mourinho’s clinical Tottenham team also had goals from Tanguy Ndombele and Serge Aurier in addition to a brace from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. After the game, Mourinho treated his successor, Solskjaer, with class. Solskjaer was naturally upset and dissatisfied with the outcome and his team’s performance.
Prior to the rematch in April 2021, Solskjaer stated: “I seem to recall Jose Mourinho being extremely dignified following the game.” He felt almost sorry, knowing how difficult it was for me to bear.
I hold Jose in the highest regard. It’s not always advisable to believe all that is written and stated about him. He was a manager I looked up to, and there were many good things about his tenure here.
“To be really honest, I can’t really recall what I did after that particular game. Since it was an international break, I had plenty of time to consider my options. It wasn’t the most enjoyable foreign vacation I’ve ever taken. However, we had a few conversations in the changing room, and I believe the outcomes were evident thereafter.
After three years, the managers of both sides have changed in the dugout. The manager of United is now Erik ten Hag, and the manager of Spurs is Ange Postecoglou. The two teams faced off in the season’s second match.
In that instance, James Maddison, making his home debut, gave an outstanding effort that saw Spurs win 2-0. In August, Lisandro Martinez’s own goal and the first goal by Pape Matar Sarr gave Tottenham victory.
With 31 points, United is eight points worse off than their opponents on Sunday, while Tottenham is currently in fifth place, one point behind Arsenal in fourth place. In his pre-game press conference prior to the game, Ten Hag lauded Spurs and Postecoglou.
