Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson inspiring Jose Mourinho as he plots to catch Man City NEXT season
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Jose Mourinho is already plotting how to catch Manchester City next season — after taking his lead from Man United predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson admitted Mourinho's Chelsea forced his Red Devils to up their game when the Special One led the Londoners to consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.
Now, Mourinho finds himself in a similar position with Pep Guardiola's City, conceding United will have to step up a significant level next season if they are to bridge a gap that stands at 15 points with 13 games to go.
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“I always remember Sir Alex said in 2005-06, when we won the second title with Chelsea, that we [United] need to improve a lot because they've raised the bar to such a level,” said Mourinho, whose United side host struggling Huddersfield on Saturday.
“They [Chelsea] won two titles in a row - the second title was easier than the first - and then the biggest manager in the Premier League said United needed to improve a lot.
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“That was the click for the improvement of the team. In 2006-07, United won the title back.
“It has to be like that.
“That's why every match until the end of the season is an important match for us. It's not just about the points and finishing in the top four, which is important.
“We must try to finish second, try to play the best we can and improve the players individually the best we can and be the best possible team at the end of the season.
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“Then we must try to start next season in a good way, like we did this season, but try to be consistent and not to lose points like we did in some matches where we shouldn't.”
Mourinho admitted United's £89million record signing Paul Pogba, who he subbed after just 63 minutes in Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, is far from the finished article.
Pogba's lack of defensive discipline was seen by many as a reason why United capitulated so easily at Wembley, with Mourinho acknowledging his scope for improvement.
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“He's a young player, below 25, so of course he has some things to improve,” the 55-year-old said of the France international midfielder.
“But it's not just Paul, it's every player. Every player has a chance to improve until the end of his career, especially the ones below 26, 27. They always have areas to improve.”
The United boss also revealed he has bluntly advised Marouane Fellaini, set to be out of contract at the end of the season, to sign the new deal he's been offered to continue at Old Trafford.
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The 30-year-old Belgian midfielder is facing up to two months out with a fresh knee injury and Mourinho revealed:
“I told him yesterday: 'Sign the contract and shut up. Don't gamble too much. Sign the contract before you know the extent of the injury.'"