"Don't be clowns" - Chris Smalling reveals what Jose Mourinho told his Manchester United stars at half-time against City

Paul Pogba celebrating against Manchester City in the 3-2 win. [Photo: Courtesy]

Chris Smalling has revealed what Jose Mourinho told his stars at half-time to inspire Manchester United's brilliant comeback against Manchester City.

The Red Devils entered the interval trailing 2-0 after Vincent Kompant and Ilkay Gundogan put the hosts ahead in blistering fashion.

And it could have been worse for the Red Devils had Raheem Sterling not spurned two glorious chances.

However, United came out in the second half a different team and took the game to City.

Paul Pogba bagged a brilliant brace before Smalling made up for his shoddy marking earlier to score the winner.

According to the centre-back, at half-time Mourinho warned his players to not feel like the "clowns" they would watching rivals City lift the title.

"He said we didn't want to be the clowns standing there watching them get their title," Smalling told Sky Sports when asked what Mourinho said at half-time.

When Mourinho was asked what he said at half-time, he told Sky Sports : "I said at half time my midfield players couldn't play any better than they had been playing. I was actually asking more from my central defenders to play with the ball."

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