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Jose Mourinho has labelled Scott McTominay as a 'mad dog' following his impressive display against Barcelona this week.

The Scotland international stole the show on Wednesday night as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side fell to a 1-0 defeat against Barcelona in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Despite the win Barcelona were far from their best at Old Trafford, and Mourinho believes this was mainly down to the performance of McTominay.

The 22-year-old showed a new side to his game with the manner of his pressing play in the match, and former United manager Mourinho praised the youngster for his rounded performance.

“Barcelona was not Barcelona yesterday," Mourinho told RT. "I think United had one player that was responsible for that because I think Scott McTominay in midfield he was like what I used to call - but when I use this expression it’s obviously in the total positive sense of the word. He was a mad dog.

“Afraid of nobody. Imposing his respect. Pressing really hard with a huge range of movement a huge area of pressing. Pressing higher and creating problems in Barcelona building up then really aggressive on the duels.

“I think it was a missed opportunity for both. I don’t think they were good. Both. So if one of them was better, probably in Barcelona’s case they could kill the tie. Which they didn’t because 1-0 is open.

“And Manchester United is also... Could get a different result. United zero shots on target. Barcelona I think two or three. And what surprised me more with Barcelona is that they didn’t have efficiency on the passing.

“The majority of the matches when they are not able to create they are not able to score more goals at least they keep the ball. They keep the ball from their opponent and the opponent feels always in some mental weakness because they are always running and chasing the ball.”