Mourinho had a tough summer at Manchester United and was unable to land his top transfer targets after a stand-off with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. United have been far from convincing on the pitch and will be hoping to make amends at Old Trafford after their dismal 3-2 defeat away to Brighton eight days ago.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have made a solid start to their league campaign despite not spending a single penny in the summer transfer window.
Although Mourinho has had his problems, Pochettino has some sympathy for the Portuguese tactician, whom he considers a close friend.
“When you lose, you feel the responsibility,” Pochettino said. “I am the manager. I assume responsibility. Always my thoughts are, ‘You can do better’. Never is it enough. Even when you win, you can do better. That is the mentality.To win, it is every day, it is here on the training ground in every single situation.”
Pochettino insists Mourinho has always served as an inspiration to him.
He added: “For every single manager who is younger than him, he was an inspiration.For everyone. Of course. I took a lot of things from him. So many things. He is an unbelievable manager.I am younger than him, of course. The circumstances that happen with me, that happen with other managers, they will happen, it is up and down.He is an inspirational manager for a manager like me. I have a very good relationship with “Mou” from when I was a manager of Espanyol and I have full respect for him and the club.”
Tottenham will be hoping to end their poor record at Old Trafford where Pochettino is yet to pick up a point in four visits.
Sanchez could return from injury later today (8pm) for the Old Trafford clash as Manchester United seek to make amends for their 3-2 defeat away to Brighton in the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho has had a troublesome start to the campaign and the summer was dominated by his discontent over not being able to sign either of his main transfer targets – Leicester’s Harry Maguire or Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld.
And Redknapp thinks that Sanchez could come up with the goods if he starts and plays like he did against Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final in April.
“This could be the perfect game for Jose [Mourinho],” Redknapp said.“Tottenham can be flaky in the big games, winning just two of their 20 away matches against their top six rivals under Mauricio Pochettino. Alexis [Sanchez] terrorised Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final. If he is fit, he owes United another brilliant performance. Pochettino will be happy to head back to London with a draw.”