Mourinho steers Manchester United to EFL Cup final, now he plots to make FA Cup glory bid

Birthday boy Jose Mourinho secured a Wembley final for Manchester United when his side overcame the challenge of Hull City in the EFL semi-final two-legged tie last night.

Now the Old Trafford manager, who celebrated his 54th birthday yesterday, will ready his charges to bid to forge a path to a second Wembley showdown by reaching the FA Cup final. But first United need to get past Wigan Athletic, who are the visitors to the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday for a fourth round tie.

United will face Southampton, who beat Liverpool over two legs to reach the final, in the final of the league cup on February 26 after winning on aggregate over the Tigers, losing 2-1 but winning 3-2 overall.

It was a game which provoked lively post-match comments from Mourinho after the defeat ended United’s 17-match unbeaten run.

He saw the home side score from a controversially awarded penalty, converted by Tom Huddlestone, followed by an equalising goal from France international Paul Pogba before City secured the winner through Oumar Niasse, who is currently on loan from Everton.

In fact, the Portuguese coach, never afraid to bring a touch of controversy to his observations, was so upset by the decision to give Hull a penalty, he refused to acknowledge they had scored the spot kick at the KCOM Stadium.

He said:

“I only saw two goals It was 1-1. I saw the Pogba goal and their goal was a fantastic goal – great action, great cross and the guy coming in at the far post. 1-1.”

United are back in league action on Wednesday when, one again, they play Hull City at Old Trafford in a Premier League game which they hope to win to bolster their top flight standing of sixth. They are currently two points behind rivals Manchester City, who are in fifth position.