Mourinho: Manchester United's fans didn't 'support' Lukaku enough

Jose Mourinho's principles paid off for Manchester United, but the Special One wasn't happy with the support one of his players received.

On Sunday, Mourinho took a second dig at United's supporters, accusing them of not giving Romelu Lukaku enough support during the Red Devils' 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. The poke comes after the Portuguese manager criticised fans for booing Anthony Martial replacing Marcus Rashford in the second half.

Asked about Lukaku's contribution, Mourinho told MUTV, according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson: "I would like the supporters to explain to me why they don't support him so much because he gives everything and I think it is not fair when scoring the goal or not scoring the goal makes the whole difference. I don't think it is fair at all. So I'm a bit disappointed - but not with him. With him (I am) very pleased."

United's win versus Tottenham was another example of Mourinho's mindset, in which the Portuguese manager relies on exploiting mistakes. The game looked destined to end as a scoreless draw, but, as if he knew it was coming all along, a long ball unravelled Spurs' defence, allowing Martial to score the lone goal in the 81st minute.

As for the supporters who booed the substitution, Mourinho told Sky Sports: "I really don't understand some reactions why. Are they (the fans) Red Devils? Sometimes I don't know because they (strikers) work amazingly well. Today there were two strikers playing together against three top central defenders - the best we have in Europe - and they had to do the defensive job of pressing them when they were coming out with the ball which they do very well because they have big routines of playing with three in the back."

Lukaku's scoring drought stands at 293 minutes, but the Belgian striker played a hand in Martial's goal, tallying an assist by heading the ball over Tottenham's defence.