Jose Mourinho will be shocked by Man Utd fans, says Gary Neville

Jose Mourinho will be surprised by the loyalty Manchester United fans have shown, according to former defender Gary Neville.

The United manager suffered the worst home defeat of his managerial career on Monday night as a Harry Kane opener and a brace from Lucas Moura saw Tottenham win 3-0 at Old Trafford. The result was also Spurs’ biggest win at the venue since 1972.

It leaves last season’s Premier League runners-up 13th in the table with three points from their opening three games, having lost to Brighton last week.

After the Spurs defeat Mourinho went over to applaud those supporters who stayed behind in Old Trafford’s Stretford End, a United scarf picked up off the pitch tucked under his arm.

While discussing the moment during Sky Sports’ coverage, Neville said: “He was emotional. Before I watched the interview I didn’t know what [the gesture] meant. But having watched his interview, I think he was just relieved. The fans started singing his name with about three or four minutes to go, and I think even Jose is surprised at the loyalty [showed by United fans].

“You have to remember that Jose’s managed at Real Madrid, where it’s tough. He’s seen what happened at clubs like Inter Milan, though he was successful there. Chelsea (who Mourinho has managed twice) can be a little bit of a brutal football club.

“There is a spirit at Man United, where the fans will continue to back the players [and] the manager through thick and thin. Yes, there are moments where they might boo, but generally they are an absolutely brilliant bunch and they’ll go again to Burnley on Sunday. There will be four or five thousand of them and they’ll sing his name, and those players have to respond to it.”

Referring to the tradition among Spanish football fans of displaying white handkerchiefs of surrender in an expression of discontent with their club’s performances, Neville added: “That’s a white handkerchief job in Spain by the way.”

Neville, 43, spent nearly two decades playing at right-back for United. In that time, he won eight Premier League titles, the FA Cup three times and picked up two Champions League trophies.

Never write off United

Manchester United have lost two out of their opening three Premier League games for the first time since 1992, increasing the pressure on Mourinho.

However, there has been no clear indication from the Old Trafford hierarchy that Mourinho is to leave the club and, with 35 league games still to go, there is plenty of time, and past inspiration, for the Portuguese tactician to turn things around.

During that 1992/93 campaign, the arrival of Eric Cantona sparked United into life and, despite their poor start, they rallied to secure a first domestic title since 1967.

Credit: Chris Cole/ALLSPORT

And since then, United have become Premier League-specialists when it comes to turning around a bad start

In the 1996/97 season, United opened their campaign with defeats to Sheffield United and Everton, while they only managed a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town. However, following that, they lost just four of their remaining 35 games to finish four points clear of Newcastle at the top of the league.

Credit: Ross Kinnaird /Allsport

And, in the 2002/03 campaign, United got off to another bad start, taking just eight points from their opening six games and even fell as low as 10th in the league by September 14th. But, once again, United rallied and an 18 game unbeaten run in the league secured another Premier League crown.

(Photo credit PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images)

In the 2007/08 campaign, United completed yet another miraculous turnaround. After taking just two points from their opening three fixtures, including a 1-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City, United sparked into life. Lead by their attacking trident of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez, the red half of Manchester put a host of teams to the sword and beat Chelsea to the league title by two points.

(Photo credit PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

They next take on Burnley at Turf Moor next Sunday.

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