The Sir Alex interview that inspires Mourinho

The boss has reflected on how much the Reds have improved on last term already, challenging at the top of the Premier League and in the Champions League, and wants his side to finish the campaign as strongly as possible.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Huddersfield Town, Mourinho said he has taken inspiration from the famous comments of Sir Alex Ferguson which helped United to be champions for three years in a row after Mourinho's Chelsea won successive titles in 2005 and 2006.

“I always remember Sir Alex told that a few times when in 2005/06 we won the second title with Chelsea,” the boss explained. “Sir Alex Ferguson gave some interviews saying ‘we need to improve a lot because they raised the bar to such a level they won two titles in a row’.

“The second title was easier than the first and then the biggest manager in the Premier League said ‘we need to improve a lot’ and he felt in that moment as the click for the improvement of the team and then the team won the title back in 2006/07. It has to be like that.

“That’s why I think every match until the end of the season is important for us because it's not just about the points and finishing in the top four, which is important, but trying to finish second, play the best we can, improve the players individually the best we can and be the best possible team in the end of the season. Then we need to start the Premier League next season in a good way like we did this season, but trying to be consistent and not losing points like we did in some matches where we shouldn't.

"We are second in the table. We know that it's an almost impossible mission to win the title, but the team is improving this season in relation to last season in every aspect - the points, the goals scored, the goals conceded, the position in the table - and we want to try to finish well."