5 Iconic José Mourinho Moments From His Manchester United Reign

José Mourinho, the self-proclaimed “Special One,” left a significant mark at Manchester United during his tenure from 2016 to 2018. Although it was a time of mixed results and divisive opinions, his era was filled with moments that embodied his charismatic, tactical, and controversial nature.

From trophy triumphs to press conference theatrics, Mourinho’s time at Old Trafford was nothing short of memorable. And with Manchester United set to clash with José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe in the Europa League tonight, we thought it was the perfect time to look back and reflect on five of the most iconic moments that defined Mourinho's time at Old Trafford. 

1) The Double in His First Season: EFL Cup & Europa League  

When Mourinho took over the reins in 2016, Manchester United were in a period of transition. The club had struggled to find its identity after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, with the reigns of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal yielding little success. Mourinho was brought in with one mission—bring back the glory days. And in his first season, he wasted no time delivering on that promise. 

Mourinho’s first trophy came in February 2017 when United triumphed over Southampton in a thrilling EFL Cup final. The match, held at Wembley, was a classic Mourinho moment—United took the lead, weathered a storm, and then relied on moments of individual brilliance to seal the deal. Zlatan Ibrahimović was the hero that day, scoring twice, including a late winner to secure the 3-2 victory. 

However, the real crowning moment came in May 2017, when United lifted the Europa League trophy after defeating Ajax 2-0 in the final. Goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave Mourinho his second major trophy of the season and, more importantly, secured United’s return to the Champions League. The victory was about more than just silverware—it represented a return to Europe’s elite competition, a place United fans felt they belonged. The double success in his debut season gave Mourinho the boost he needed. While the style of play may not have always been pleasing to the eye, Mourinho’s ability to deliver trophies quickly cemented his place in United’s recent history. 

2) The "Football Heritage" Press Conference  

Mourinho is known for his memorable press conferences, and perhaps none was more iconic at United than his “football heritage” rant in March 2018. After United were shockingly knocked out of the Champions League by Sevilla in the Round of 16, Mourinho was under heavy fire. Fans and pundits alike questioned his tactics, his team selections, and whether he was the right man to lead United forward. 

In response, Mourinho delivered a remarkable 12-minute speech in which he defended his record at United, pointed out the club’s struggles in Europe before his arrival, and famously referred to "football heritage." His message was clear—United’s problems didn’t start with him, and rebuilding the club’s European reputation would take time. 

In typical Mourinho fashion, he backed himself, highlighted his own past European successes, and deflected criticism away from his current squad. While the "football heritage" speech didn’t win over all his critics, it remains one of the most quintessential Mourinho moments at Old Trafford. It was a raw, unfiltered insight into his mindset and his refusal to be blamed for United’s struggles in Europe. 

3) Breaking Manchester City's Winning Streak in 2018  

One of the high points of Mourinho’s tenure came in April 2018, when United faced Manchester City in a highly anticipated derby. City, under Pep Guardiola, were on the verge of clinching the Premier League title and could have secured it with a win over their fiercest rivals at the Etihad Stadium. To make matters worse for United, City had been playing some breathtaking football all season, making them heavy favorites to claim victory. 

At halftime, it looked like the inevitable was going to happen. City were 2-0 up and cruising towards the title, with their fans already celebrating. But Mourinho and his United troops had other ideas. What followed was one of the most remarkable comebacks in Manchester derby history. United came out in the second half like a team possessed, with Paul Pogba leading the charge. Pogba scored twice in quick succession to level the game, and Chris Smalling completed the turnaround with a winning goal from a set-piece. The 3-2 win not only delayed City’s title celebrations but also gave United fans bragging rights in what was a rare moment of triumph over their dominant rivals. 

For Mourinho, it was a masterstroke. His tactical adjustments at halftime paid off, and the victory showed that, even in a period where City were clearly the superior side, Mourinho’s United could still rise to the occasion. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated Mourinho’s ability to deliver on the big stage. 

4) Winning the Community Shield & the Return of Zlatan  

While the Community Shield may not be viewed as a major trophy by many, it was a significant moment for Mourinho at United. It was his first piece of silverware with the club, and it set the tone for what was to come in his debut season. The match saw United face reigning Premier League champions Leicester City. It was also the day that Zlatan Ibrahimović announced himself on the English stage. The towering Swede, who had followed Mourinho from PSG, scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory, heading home late in the game to secure United’s first trophy under Mourinho. 

The Community Shield win was important for several reasons. It gave Mourinho his first taste of success at United, but more importantly, it set the stage for Zlatan’s incredible debut season. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Ibrahimović would go on to score 28 goals in all competitions, proving to be one of Mourinho’s most astute signings. Zlatan’s presence brought swagger and confidence back to Old Trafford, and his close relationship with Mourinho became one of the defining aspects of that season. While injuries eventually cut short his time at United, Zlatan’s impact in that first season was immense, and it all started with the Community Shield. 

5) His “Respect, Respect” Press Conference Outburst 

One of José Mourinho’s most unforgettable moments during his Manchester United tenure came after a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in August 2018. Known for his fiery personality and willingness to defend his record at all costs, Mourinho's post-match press conference that night produced a moment of pure drama. After being humiliated by Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham at Old Trafford, Mourinho was clearly agitated by the criticism surrounding him and his team. What followed was the now-infamous “Respect, respect” rant.  

As reporters bombarded him with questions, Mourinho snapped, reminding everyone of his incredible achievements. “Three! Three Premier League titles,” he said, holding up his fingers for emphasis. "I won more Premier League titles alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me, two for them. Respect, respect, respect!" His outburst was classic Mourinho—full of defiance and self-assurance, even when his team was under immense pressure. At that point, United were off to a poor start in the 2018/19 season, and the press was already questioning his future at the club. Mourinho wasn’t just defending his record at United, but his legacy as one of the most successful managers in Premier League history. 

This moment embodied everything about Mourinho: the ego, the passion, and the unshakable belief in his abilities. It was also a turning point, as his tenure at United never quite recovered after that defeat and the subsequent fallout. But in that press conference, Mourinho wasn’t going to go down quietly—he demanded respect for what he had achieved, not just at United but throughout his glittering managerial career. 

Also Read: Fenerbahce vs Manchester United – UEFA Europa League – Preview, Team News and Updates