Mourinho: How we've prepared for Wembley

Jose Mourinho has outlined how his Manchester United team have been preparing for Saturday’s big game against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Reds face Premier League rivals Spurs in a crucial Emirates FA Cup semi-final on Saturday (kick-off 17:15 BST), with a place in the final on 19 May at stake.

United have had one day less to prepare for the Wembley clash than the north London club, who drew 1-1 at Brighton on Tuesday night in the league.

The Reds made the long trip to Bournemouth on Wednesday night, beating the Cherries 2-0. But, instead of returning to Manchester after the game, the squad travelled directly to the capital and have been using Championship club Fulham’s training ground in west London.

Speaking to MUTV on Friday, the boss expressed his gratitude to Cottagers boss Slavisa Jokanovic for allowing the team to use their facilities, to ensure the best possible preparation for what is now United’s biggest game of the season so far.

“First of all, to thank them [Fulham] because they let us use the best facilities,” Mourinho said. “Yesterday [Thursday] they let us use the stadium Craven Cottage and today [Friday] I asked for a pitch on the training ground [Motspur Park] and Jokanovic, the manager, gave me their best pitch so I have to thank Fulham and Joka for that.

“I think it’s just good for us after the Bournemouth game, instead of travelling back to Manchester, getting the plane, then go back home, come back the next day, train to London again. But we just came here [to London], we’re here together, training quietly, preparing for the game the best we can.”