Alan Brazil: Jose Mourinho elevates talking rubbish to an art form

BORN winners don’t like playing catch-up.

So after a season-and-a-half of nipping at Pep Guardiola’s heels, Jose Mourinho will be absolutely chuffed to have finally got one over on his great rival.

Alexis Sanchez is a top-class signing for United.

But for Mourinho, it’s not just about what the Chilean will add to the Old Trafford squad.

It’s also about what he won’t add to City’s.

Ever since reports started circulating that Sanchez wanted out of Arsenal, Guardiola’s side were touted as the front-runners for his signature.

With all the money in the world, the title in their sights and a Champions League-shaped carrot dangling outside the Etihad, it seemed unbelievable that he would go anywhere else.

But Jose saw that as a challenge.

For months, behind the scenes, he will have been working away to convince Sanchez that he wanted him more, and that Manchester United was the club for him.

Clearly, he succeeded.

And the way the United gaffer has responded shows how much it means to him.

Jose has never been scared of making outlandish statements.

His wee tale likening Sanchez to an orange at the top of a tree was . . . well . . . a peach.

As he was talking, I couldn’t help but think about Pedro Caixinha, with his caravan nonsense.

Remember the line from the failed Rangers manager: “The dogs bark but the caravan keeps going”?

I believe that means something like: “Despite all the criticism surrounding you, things move on”.

Well, Mourinho, his fellow countryman, has now elevated talking rubbish to an art form!

Jose said people who can’t reach the top of the tree tell everybody that they were never interested in getting up there anyway, that they are happy with the oranges at the bottom.

That was a clear jab at his Manchester City counterpart – and the glint in his eye was clear to see.

I’m told that City were still confident of getting Sanchez – who played under Guardiola at Barcelona, remember – until quite late on.

The stumbling block was, apparently, money.

Despite their riches, City were reluctant to meet Sanchez’ reported £500,000-per-week wage demands.

There was no such problem across the city at Old Trafford.

Landing Sanchez under those circumstances was a big victory for Mourinho in his personal war with Guardiola.

But funnily enough, the battle he really wants to win lies ahead.

Just like in his own orange tree analogy, Jose wants more than anything to beat Pep to the juiciest piece of fruit – the Premier League title.

By claiming Alexis Sanchez is that top-most prize, the United gaffer is twisting things a wee bit. But it’s great theatre – and I certainly don’t grudge him his moment.

I’ve always been a Jose fan – and I think I always will be.

His will to win, his showmanship, his determination, and his ability as a coach are unquestionable.

In Pep Guardiola, he has found the perfect enemy – younger, slicker, more personable, and hugely successful.

Guardiola has had the edge over Jose up to now.

But, as with Sanchez, Mourinho has shown that, while he might not like it, playing catch-up is a great motivator.

With Alexis Sanchez in his camp, I’d back him to take another chunk out of Pep’s City side before the season ends.

If he can make that happen, who’d bet against him working yet more wonders next year?