Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has claimed that Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho regularly uses the media to play mind games, but welcomes the behaviour ahead of Sunday's clash at Old Trafford.

Spurs will travel to the North-West with the hope of earning back-to-back wins following last weekend's emphatic 5-0 win over Swansea City.

Mauricio Pochettino's side currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, six points above United, who have won just two of their last 11 top-flight fixtures.

During Mourinho's time in charge of Chelsea three years ago, the Portuguese coach accused Vertonghen of play-acting to get Fernando Torres sent off, but the defender believes that the league "needs" those characters.

"[Mourinho] has always got something to say," The Mirror quotes Vertonghen as saying. "He is a good manager and he says things in the media. It's part of the job and he plays it the way he wants to.

"He is a great coach first of all, done great things with different teams. He has shown he is a very good coach and a colourful character, but football needs that."

Last season's meeting at Old Trafford ended in a 1-0 win for United.