Jose Mourinho admitted that his former Manchester United team deserved a 2-1 victory over his new club Tottenham in the Premier League on Wednesday, and praised Marcus Rashford.
Mourinho took over at Tottenham last month, nearly a year after he was sacked.
"I think (United) deserved to win thanks to his performance in the first half, we didn't start well at all," said Mourinho, whose side were trailed by Rashford in the seventh minute. We enter the game ... United deserved to win. "
Mourinho pointed out that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, who drew with Aston Villa and Sheffield United in their last two Premier League games, had done their best against a big team.
"United's results against strong teams have been good this season, whether Chelsea, Liverpool or Leicester City. It's easy because of United's style of play. The team is not afraid to rely on a defensive approach. Things are easier against big teams who want to take possession."
The Portuguese coach, who left United after two and a half seasons, praised his former striker Rashford.
"When he plays on the left he is very dangerous and I knew it and I told the players about it. His first goal is usual for him to go on the pitch. My players knew it very well."
It was no surprise that Solskjaer praised the 22-year-old England international striker Rashford, who had a performance that reflected his potential.
"This was his best performance with me," he said. "He was mature and strong against good players in the Premier League."
With some skeptical about Solskjaer after United's worst start to the league since the 1988-89 season, the team moved up to sixth in a big boost.
"The three points were very important to us. We drew a lot this season and wasted a lot of points in games where we were ahead, we made the decisions that were to be made and we are looking to build this team to come back stronger," Solskjaer said. ".
"When we turn things around and win three or four games in a row, we will feel the usual Manchester United return."