Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder's amazing admission about Jose Mourinho

Speaking as Sheffield United attempt to record their third win of a week which has breathed new life into the club’s season, Wilder revealed his respect for the 57-year-old who has won 25 major trophies during a glittering career encompassing spells with Real Madrid, Internazionale and Chelsea.

Although Wilder admitted his reverence for Mourinho’s achievements had left him consumed by nerves before their first ever meeting, he insisted that will not translate into compliance when United look to take another step towards top-flight survival on Sunday.

“Jose, I’ve got to say, is my favourite manager out of all the incredible managers that are working in the Premier League right now,” Wilder said. “I know he splits opinion but he’s box office, and I know he’ll have watched us closely because of how he goes about his business. Like I say, I know he divides opinion but he doesn’t divide it with me,”

“I met him in the hotel for five minutes or so after we’d played Chelsea,” Wilder continued. “I got nervous and I’m thinking ‘You’re 53 years of age and you’re nervous? What’s going on here?’

“But when you look at what he’s done in the game, in all different countries, you can only respect that. He doesn’t get his track record without being the ultimate winner and ruthless - totally ruthless. That’s what we’ve got to be here as well.”

Despite beating Mourinho’s men 3-1 at Bramall Lane last term en route to a ninth placed finish, United started this season in disappointing fashion - losing 15 and drawing two of their opening 17 matches - before beating Newcastle on Tuesday night. That result, which means they are now nine points adrift of safety, came after Wilder’s squad had recorded its first success of the campaign in all competitions during an FA Cup tie at Bristol Rovers three days earlier. Remarkable, they remain only nine points adrift of safety although Wilder’s attempts to select a starting eleven capable of troubling the visitors have been complicated by a series of injuries to key players. Enda Stevens, Oli McBurnie and George Baldock are among those either set to miss out or rated as serious doubts for the clash with Spurs.

“There’s been an upturn in mood, which you would expect,” Wilder said, reflecting upon United’s display against Newcastle. “It was a much improved performance and a deserved victory. There were a few moments that went our way, but I believed we deserved it before them.”

“The players played well, it’s as simple as that,” he added. “They were where they should be and that brought the performance and the whole team together. I looked through the team afterwards and we weren’t carrying anybody. They played well and that gave them the opportunity. The substitutes all contributed too. That’s what we’ve got to do again.”

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