Troy Deeney reflects on first-ever exchange with Jose Mourinho after Watford beat Manchester United | OneFootball

Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney reflects on his first exchange with Jose Mourinho.

Deeney never has a shortage of things to say and Mourinho was once a media darling because of his quotes after becoming Chelsea manager.

The pair had their first-ever encounter on September 18, 2016 – when Mourinho’s Manchester United travelled to Vicarage Road in the Premier League.

United suffered a third consecutive defeat even though Marcus Rashford got on the scoresheet. Goals from Etienne Capoue, Odion Ighalo and Deeney meant the Reds were unable to force a comeback.

Deeney, 36, recalls how he ran into Mourinho in the corridors of Vicarage Road after the match.

“He’s [Mourinho] a legend,” Watford told talkSPORT.

“Because he’s straight-talking as well, whenever I’ve encountered him.

“My first encounter with Jose, we beat Man United at Vicarage Road. 3-1, we beat them. And I scored.

“I remember I went up to the family bit, I had some friends there and said hello.

“Then I was coming back down the stairs to go across to my family in my box. He was on the phone on the stairs, and I just stood waiting.

“I was like, ‘Oh cool’. Then we just laughed and joked, but he told me, you played well, good luck for the future. And I said the same.

“That was when United had Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney up front. It was proper.

“With Marcus [Rashford] on the left, [Marouane] Fellaini and [Paul] Pogba in the middle. It was a proper outfit.”

It’s clear from Deeney’s comments that Mourinho left an ever-lasting impression on the former Watford striker.

Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.

More Stories / Latest News

Troy Deeney reflects on first-ever exchange with Jose Mourinho after Watford beat Manchester United

Sep 10 2024, 11:15

Manchester United extend partnership with world’s leading express and logistics company

Sep 10 2024, 10:30

Dutch pundits not impressed by Koeman’s Joshua Zirkzee decision ahead of Germany clash

Sep 10 2024, 9:28