Mourinho takes a swipe at former club Manchester United over penalties awarded

Jose Mourinho has fired another shot at former club Manchester United, as the Tottenham Hotspur boss took a dig at Bruno Fernandes and United's penalty record.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side sealed their place in the top four on Sunday after a Fernandes penalty and a stoppage time strike from Jesse Lingard was enough to oust Leicester City and secure Champions League football next season.

United have been in phenomenal form since the Premier League restart, with Fernandes the standout performer as the Red Devils went unbeaten in the final nine league matches.

The January arrival has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in a mere 14 top flight appearances, signalling that United may be a force next season if he maintains that form.

And Mourinho has paid credit to his fellow countryman's displays since arriving in England earlier this year.

‘Bruno came in, he was fit, played very well and improved the United team,' he told Portuguese newspaper Record.

‘He also proved to be a great penalty taker, one of the best in the world, because he had about 20 to score!’

While there was no disputing the spot kick awarded at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, a few of United's penalties have been questioned, including a dubious decision given in Fernandes' favour when United beat Aston Villa after colliding with Ezri Konsa.

Mourinho was also on the receiving end of two penalty decisions when United drew 1-1 with Spurs in the first game back. The first saw Paul Pogba dragged back by Eric Dier before United were awarded a second penalty in injury time, although VAR overturned that decision.

‘The second one was incredible for me. If VAR goes for simulation, the players could be exposed and given a yellow card,’ Mourinho said after the game. Fernandes comes from a country that I know well.’

It's not the first time Mourinho has jibed at United's penalty record. Earlier this month, when asked to compare United's attack with Tottenham's, the Spurs boss said: ‘United’s 13 penalties is a help. It’s a help!’