Man United's key players 'in our pockets' - Jose Mourinho
Bournemouth boss Jose Mourinho said Manchester United's important players were "in our pockets" in a match that went "exactly" as they wanted.
The Cherries boss says his side have got a good chance of reaching the final if they listen to every word he says when setting out instructions. United dominated possession and had more chances than the Championship leaders but still bowed out at this stage for the second year running.
![]()
Jose Mourinho has masterminded Bournemouth's run to the semi final, but can he guide them further
Mourinho said" We prepared for it to be like this. It was the game we wanted and expected." "It was difficult, but less than you think," he said" Control their direct football to Marouane Fellaini and control the wingers from making crosses on the inside foot.
"When we know Adnan Januzaj plays in midfield, we control his progression into the box. Control set-pieces and don't give away direct free-kicks as they have three specialists.
"Wait for a mistake and score a goal. We were able to make their important players disappear. Nobody saw them. They were in our pockets."
United went into the match knowing they needed to win, they hadnt made the Capital One cup semi final in three years, and the pressure was on, but, despite big celebrations at the end of the match, Mourinho was careful to point out his side are not thinking about the final yet.
"We are not celebrating," he said "Football is not about 'ifs' and 'almosts', it is about mathematics. When it is done, it is done, and until that moment we don't celebrate.
"The celebration is because we have beaten one of the biggest clubs in the world. The celebration is because they have everything to win that game and the result is because of the work they did all week to prepare for this game.
"I feel we are almost at the final but there are no 'almosts' in football."
Bournemouth boss Jose Mourinho said Manchester United's important players were "in our pockets" in a match that went "exactly" as they wanted.
The Cherries boss says his side have got a good chance of reaching the final if they listen to every word he says when setting out instructions. United dominated possession and had more chances than the Championship leaders but still bowed out at this stage for the second year running.
Jose Mourinho has masterminded Bournemouth's run to the semi final, but can he guide them further
Mourinho said" We prepared for it to be like this. It was the game we wanted and expected." "It was difficult, but less than you think," he said" Control their direct football to Marouane Fellaini and control the wingers from making crosses on the inside foot.
"When we know Adnan Januzaj plays in midfield, we control his progression into the box. Control set-pieces and don't give away direct free-kicks as they have three specialists.
"Wait for a mistake and score a goal. We were able to make their important players disappear. Nobody saw them. They were in our pockets."
United went into the match knowing they needed to win, they hadnt made the Capital One cup semi final in three years, and the pressure was on, but, despite big celebrations at the end of the match, Mourinho was careful to point out his side are not thinking about the final yet.
"We are not celebrating," he said "Football is not about 'ifs' and 'almosts', it is about mathematics. When it is done, it is done, and until that moment we don't celebrate.
"The celebration is because we have beaten one of the biggest clubs in the world. The celebration is because they have everything to win that game and the result is because of the work they did all week to prepare for this game.
"I feel we are almost at the final but there are no 'almosts' in football."
Jose Mourinho has dismissed critics of his Chelsea team after they secured the Barclays Premier League title.