Mourinho: Why I gave my medal to a fan

The Reds boss joined his team to collect his runners-up memento on the pitch in Skopje, but promptly handed it to a delighted supporter - a boy named Deji - in the front row before departing.

Asked about the gesture in his post-match press conference, Mourinho gave an answer that prompted laughs among the many journalists present.

“Sometimes when I win, I don’t keep the medals – so imagine when I lose!” the manager said wryly. “For me, the medal would go to some place in my house; for that kid, it’s the moon – something to keep and remember.

“It was a little kid with a United shirt. I have no idea where he comes from. I think it’s something he’ll never forget. I repeat: when I win, they don’t mean much, so imagine when I lose!”