Mourinho celebrates with birthday boy Fergie

Jose Mourinho dedicated Manchester United’s dramatic late victory over Middlesbrough to club legend Sir Alex Ferguson, who celebrated his 75th birthday in the Old Trafford stands on Saturday.

Late efforts from Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba saw off a determined Boro 2-1 on New Year’s Eve, with United well worthy of the three points following a scintillating display reminiscent of the football played under their legendary former manager.

And Mourinho, who enjoyed a turbulent rivalry with Ferguson throughout their years in opposing Premier League dugouts, was quick to congratulate the Scot, and laud the display of his in-form United side.

“He [Ferguson] deserves to come here and for people to remember him. Not just for his birthday but for the kind of football that he played,” Mourinho said.

“I’m happy for him – I congratulated him already. I joked ‘Happy 45th birthday’.

Jose Mourinho tells #MUTVHD that Sir Alex “deserved this” win on his 75th birthday. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/8cPdC7IGYe

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 31, 2016

“He’s enjoying his life and I’m happy we gave him happiness today and that people remember his time with the way we played in the last minutes.

“Today, the fans were on the pitch. We brought the fans to the pitch, they weren’t stuck up in the stands, and this is credit to the players. They were amazing.”