Jose Mourinho: ‘There are many poets in football, but poets don’t win many titles’

The Portuguese manager has faced censure for instilling a negative brand of football on United, with his multi-million-pound attack often found labouring in front of goal.

But Mourinho felt vindicated on Wednesday evening after Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan helped him secure a 2-0 win over Ajax and the Europa League title – his second major trophy since his move to Old Trafford. He told BT Sport:

"We knew where they [Ajax] were better than us, we knew where we were better than them. We tried to kill their good qualities, we tried to explore their weaknesses.

"We did that very well from the first minute and we totally deserved the trophy."

The 54-year-old added that qualifying for the Champions League via the Europa League was a greater achievement than finishing in the top four, a thinly-veiled barb at Premier League rivals Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool.

"It’s the end of a very difficult season, but a very good season. We prefer this way than finishing fourth, third or second."