FA to investigate Jose Mourinho's referee comments

You have to hand it to Jose Mourinho: it takes a special kind of manager to attract an FA investigation before the big game even starts. But the man's a maverick, and where most Premier League bosses are happy to respect the FA's ruling that manager shouldn't talk about referees before a game, United's boss is having none of it.

Tonight's referee, Anthony Taylor, hails from Manchester and, though he apparently supports Altrincham, this has been noticed by various interested parties, including Keith Hackett, who used to be in charge of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited. Asked for comment, Mourinho said that he was a "a very good referee" but added "I feel that it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance," suggesting that "Somebody with intention is putting such a pressure on him."

Mourinho, of course, has no intention of putting any pressure on. Mourinho has just noticed that these things are happening, and is concerned. God bless Mourinho. Because presumably, the FA won't.

Be good if this evening could get a shift on.