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Football

24th Apr 2022

Nemanja Matic channels inner Mourinho during row with Arsenal fans

Daniel Brown

Are you Jose in disguise?

Nemanja Matic reacted to goading Arsenal supporters on Saturday with a ‘three league titles’ gesture reminiscent of his former manager Jose Mourinho.

The Manchester United midfielder started the game at the Emirates as the Red Devils suffered a 3-1 loss, with the Serbian setting up Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal in the 34th minute.

However, Ralf Rangnick’s side weren’t able to find a way back into the tie and missed a penalty in the second-half. The defeat means United have lost their last four away Premier League matches.

Nemanja Matic Jose Mourinho

Matic reacts to heckling Arsenal fans

After being substituted for Marcus Rashford in the 77th minute, Matic responded to heckles from nearby home fans on the bench.

The 33-year-old pointed at himself before raising three fingers and then pointing at the supporters while shaping a zero with his fingers.

Matic won three Premier League titles during his time with Chelsea, with the Blues winning the league in 2010, 2015 and 2017. He also won a Primeira Liga title in Portugal with Benfica in 2013-14.

Admittedly, the Serbian only made two Premier League appearances during the 2009/10 campaign, but we’ll just about allow it.

During that period, the Gunners have failed to win a league title, having last triumphed in the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ season.

Nemanja Matic Jose Mourinho

Extremely reminiscent of Mourinho

The altercation at the Emirates was reminiscent of Matic’s former manager at both Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, Mourinho.

Following a defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2018, the then United boss raised three fingers in his post-match press conference.

Mourinho said: “Do you know what was the result? 3-0. But what this [three fingers] also means?

“It also means three Premier Leagues and I won more alone than the other 19 managers together. Me three, them two. So respect, respect, respect.”

The Red Devils’ loss on Saturday afternoon means they are now six points behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand.

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