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Cape Town - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has denied claims that he instructs his side to play defensively saying 'it was the exact opposite', after a lacklustre draw against Crystal Palace, on Saturday.
Speaking to journalists ahead of Man United's Champions League tie against Young Boys on Tuesday, Mourinho said that he wants his players to take the game to their opponents from kick-off.
"It's frustrating because what I want is the team to start strong," Mourinho said. "I want the team to go strong on the opponent and not to be waiting, not to be reactive but to be proactive. And that's exactly what I want.
The Portuguese tactician then dismissed claims of a perception that his team was following his defensive-minded orders when not playing in the traditionl Man United way based on attacking flair.
"You (Media) and the fans probably think that Jose told them to start slow, Jose told them to start nice and easy or wait to see what happens, or for them to be losing for them to react. It's exactly the opposite thing, I want the team to start strong, I want the team to have a go immediately."
Victory for Mourinho's men, allied to a Valencia failure to beat Juventus, would see United qualify for the last 16 of European club football's elite competition with a game to spare.
Mourinho slammed United after their lacklustre goalless draw last weekend, accusing his players of lacking "heart" after they were booed off the field by their own fans at Old Trafford following a result that left them seventh in the table - well adrift of the qualifying positions for next season's Champions League.
He warned then that a repeat display against Youngs Boys would leave United needing to go Spain and beat Valencia in their final Group H game if they were to remain involved in the competition.
