Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho accentuated that his side did not lose despite suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Hull City in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg.
The Red Devils had outplayed Hull 2-0 in the first leg at Old Trafford and now they advanced into the final with a 3-2 aggregate.
And now Mourinho’s side will meet Claude Puel’s Southampton in the final at Wembley on 26th February.
But Mourinho refused to count Hull’s opening goal from a penalty during the high-octane second leg clash.
Mourinho said: “I only saw two goals,” said the Portuguese. “It was 1-1.”
Tom Huddlestone scored from the spot kick to open the scoring for Hull City on Thursday.
Pundits believe that the referee’s decision to award the penalty was a bit harsh on the visiting side.
Replays showed two tussles inside the penalty box as the visitors were defending a corner. Phil Jones was involved in a push-and-pull with Oumar Niasse and Marcos Rojo briefly held the shirt of Harry Maguire, but there was not much of a contact. But referee John Moss awarded the penalty.
Man Utd’s world record signing Paul Pogba levelled the score for Mourinho’s side from a brilliant effort from close range.
Mourinho said: “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.”
The 2-1 loss to Hull brought an end to Man United’s 17-match unbeaten streak and Mourinho vented out his frustration by walking out of a television interview after only 30 seconds.
Jose Mourinho has been speaking to #MUTV: “Wembley has a special meaning, a special feeling. I’m happy to be there.” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/TCVpXRvwRs
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 26, 2017
Mourinho added: “I behaved on the bench, no sending-off, no punishment so no more words.”
“To speak about the performance, I have to speak about things I don’t want to speak about because the game was totally under control – the game was dead.”
“The game was totally under control and something happened to open the game.”
The Portuguese manager also insisted that United will not go to Wembley as favourites when they face Southampton in the final of the EFL Cup.
Jose Mourinho on #MUFC‘s amazing away fans: “They were absolutely magnificent… I have no words!” #MUTV pic.twitter.com/IdAD0IZHE1
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 26, 2017
He added: “It doesn’t matter where we play. I don’t think we are favourites against nobody.”
Mourinho now has the chance to clinch the League cup trophy for the fourth time and could match the record of former Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough.
Southampton will be eyeing to win their second major trophy in their footballing history after outplaying Klopp’s Liverpool 2-0 on aggregate in the other semi-final clash.
Mourinho, who had clinched trophies in all the three finals as Chelsea boss, said: “Wembley is Wembley. It is for professionals with passion for football.”
“It has a special meaning, a special feeling. Of course I am happy to be there. Of course I am happy to bring many thousands of our fans because I think also for them it is something they will always remember.”