Matic thriving under 'special' Mourinho

Nemanja Matic believes manager Jose Mourinho’s driven methods and high expectations will bring Manchester United more success.

Matic has always admired Mourinho and won the Premier League title with him at Chelsea in 2015, before his move to Old Trafford from Stamford Bridge last summer.

The 29-year-old Serbian was praised by his manager after scoring United’s second goal in the 2-0 Emirates FA Cup win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night, which secured a Wembley semi-final place in April against Tottenham Hotspur. It is his second successive last-four date with Spurs in the competition, and he scored a belter in the Blues' victory in 2017.

"I haven't had many managers in my life but he is special because he wants to win, always," said the midfielder, who was voted Man of the Match.

"You can see when we lose a game, he cannot accept that. Probably that's why he won more than 20 trophies in his life.

"He always wants more and more. Even if you win the league, he wants to win again next season. He is like this and the players need to be ready for that.

"I like it when the manager always wants better and better, so you have to improve, always. Always do your best. I like this kind of work, this kind of relationship. I'm happy.

"At this high level and Manchester United and where I used to play Chelsea, the pressure is big. Everyone expects you to win every game. Obviously it is not possible, but supporters always expect.

"It doesn't matter if you are tired or not, supporters want high-quality football. It is normal."

Matic won the FA Cup in 2010 as a non-playing substitute when Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea beat Portsmouth 1-0 and the trophy now remains United’s only realistic chance of silverware this season.

But if captain Antonio Valencia is collecting the cup on 19 May, does Matic believe the triumph would mean the campaign has been successful?

"I think not," he admitted. "I always want to win more and more but, in the Premier League, you have six or seven teams who want to win the league. It is not possible to always win, but if we win the FA Cup it is good, but not perfect.

"You have four competitions in the season, if you win one, for me, it is not enough.

"If you win the FA Cup, I cannot say it is a successful season but it's a good season. The FA Cup is very important in England and we will fight to the end. I hope we can win this competition."