Mourinho explains post-match celebrations against Juve

Jose Mourinho insists his post-match celebration after Manchester United came from behind to beat Juventus in the Champions League was not offensive, saying he just wanted to see how the Italian fans would react.

United hit the back of the net twice in the last 10 minutes to win 2-1 in Turin and boost their chances of qualifying from Group H.

Mourinho celebrated the victory by doing an ear-cupping gesture, with a grin on his face as he walked onto the pitch while nodding his head.

The home team defender Leonardo Bonucci confronted him before the coach was escorted down the tunnel.

“That sign that I made is actually not an offence. I just wanted to hear if they’d [the fans] make comments again or not,” Mourinho said.

“Obviously when I work for a club like Manchester United, I need to forget my past, especially in the 90 minutes. It’s not that during the 90 minutes I keep thinking I was coach of Inter or Real Madrid or Chelsea. In those 90 minutes I represent Manchester United.

“But they didn’t forget, the others didn’t forget that I was. Of course I do my job, and my job was to win against Juventus, and it is a great joy for me, because we have won against such a super squad, a super team. I’ve come here as a professional and I have a great respect for a fantastic team.”

Mourinho is a former manager of Juventus’ great Serie A rivals, Inter Milan.

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