Poets don't win titles – Mourinho defiant after Ajax criticise Manchester United approach

Jose Mourinho responded to criticism of
Manchester United's style of play in the Europa
League final by stressing "poets don't win many
titles".
United beat Ajax 2-0 in Stockholm on Wednesday
to claim the trophy and a priceless place in the
group stages of the Champions League for next
season.
Ajax captain Davy Klaassen accused United of
"waiting to play long balls" during a match in
which they comfortably kept the Dutch side's
attack at bay while scoring goals through Paul
Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
It is not the first time Mourinho's side have been
criticised in this season's tournament, with Celta
Vigo striker Iago Aspas claiming his side were
"infinitely superior" as they narrowly lost their
semi-final tie 2-1 on aggregate.
But the United manager insisted that their tactics
were justified given that they emerged with the
trophy in hand.
"We always thought that we could win the Europa
League and we are very happy," Mourinho told BT
Sport. "We played intelligently, we did it in a
comfortable way. We were much stronger than
them.
"If you want to press the ball all the time, you don't
play short. If you are dominant in the air you go
long. There are lots of poets in football but poets
don't win many titles.
"We knew where they were better than us, we knew
where we were better than them, we tried to kill
their good qualities and exploit their weaknesses.
We did that very well from the first minute and we
totally deserve the trophy."

Mourinho admits that this has been the most
testing season of his coaching career, with United
having been victorious in the Community Shield,
the EFL Cup and the Europa League but falling well
short of expectations in the Premier League.
However, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss
says it is more gratifying to have qualified for the
Champions League by winning a trophy than
through a top-four finish and is now looking
forward to a long break.
"We preferred to reach the Champions League this
way than finish fourth, third or second," he said.
"We got the objective, we are back in the
Champions League by winning a title, an important
title. The club now has every title in world football.
We fought hard for this since the beginning.
"We totally deserved the win. I am so happy to see
the [injured] boys with the crutches with the trophy
and now I am on holiday. I don't want to see any
international friendlies, I am selfish. I can't do it.
"For me, enough is enough. It has been a very hard
last few months, we were short of numbers.
"Three trophies in one season and the Champions
League. I am very happy in my most difficult
season as a manager. It is the end of a very
difficult season but a very, very good season."