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MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho has directed another thinly veiled criticism at Manchester United fans by saying he hopes they enjoy the game against Benfica "more than some of you did against Tottenham." United host the Portuguese side in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday. And writing in his programme notes ahead of the game, Mourinho suggested some supporters had not enjoyed Saturday's 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Writing to fans in United Review, Mourinho said: "I hope tonight we can do a good job, take another big step towards the knockout stages of the Champions League and I hope that you enjoy the game more than some of you did against Tottenham." It comes after Mourinho accused United fans of a lack of support for Romelu Lukaku. Speaking to United's in-house television channel MUTV on Saturday, the 54-year-old said he was "disappointed" with the reaction towards the Belgium striker. He added: "I would like the supporters to explain to me why they don't support [Lukaku] so much because he gives everything." Asked to clarify his comments at a news conference on Monday, Mourinho said he felt the need to "protect" Lukaku and that the 24-year-old, who arrived from Everton in the summer, should be "untouchable" from fans' criticism. Lukaku has scored 11 goals in 15 games for United since his £75 million move from Goodison Park but has failed to score in his last five appearances. He did, however, set up Anthony Martial's winner against Tottenham and hit the post with a header. Mourinho has been complimentary about United's away following since taking over from Louis van Gaal in 2016, but has, on occasion, been critical of the atmosphere at Old Trafford. Following United's League Cup semifinal first-leg against Hull in January, he said: "The players have to improve, I have to improve, the fans, I'm sorry, have to improve." After a 2-0 win over Leicester in August he said: "I saw the ball in the net and all the guys jumping around. It was the first time I saw the crowd. They were very quiet. "It was easy to know that was a goal because it was the first time I really understood the stadium was full."
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