Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler says there's a method to Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho's fiery media conferences.

Writing for the Mirror, Fowler argued: "I have to confess, I laughed out loud when I saw Jose Mourinho had said he's still the greatest manager in the world.

"Not that I disagree necessarily, but more because of the reaction I knew it would inspire. And also because of what I can guarantee would have happened before he went into that press conference.

"I can tell you 100 per cent, he'd have gone into the dressing room with all the players in training and laid it on the line. He'd have said the performance against Spurs was garbage, and not good enough for Manchester United.

"But he'd have also said that he was going out there to take the flak himself, and give them space to put it right.

"That's what all those headlines are about – Mourinho making the story about himself.

"Not because he believes it, or because he is this deranged ego-maniac as most people seem to think after seeing that sort of stuff, but because he's taking the spotlight off the team."