Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho boasted about his Champions League record after Marouane Fellaini's injury time winner fired his side into the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Young Boys at Old Trafford.

The three-time European champions sealed their place in the knockout stages with a slice of fortune when Fellaini controlled the ball with his hand before firing into the far corner, provoking Mourinho to throw a box of water bottles to the ground in a mixture of joy and relief.

“For some of my lovers, for those who like stats, 14 seasons in the Champions League, 14 times qualify through the group phases," said Mourinho on his personal record as boss of Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid as well as United.

“Never one of my teams stays behind the group phase. The season I didn't play Champions League, I won the Europa League."

But there was little for Mourinho to brag about from another laboured performance as United were on the verge of failing to score for a third consecutive European home game for the first time ever.

“The most important thing is to qualify," said Mourinho, who has had to withstand a barrage of criticism this season for United's poor results and insipid attacking football.