Friday, 4 November 2016

Mourinho says Man Utd played like “summer friendly” in loss


ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NOVEMBER 03:  Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Fenerbahce SK and Manchester United FC at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on November 3, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey.  (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

 Jose Mourinho was seething at Manchester United’s effort in a 2-1 loss at Fenerbahce in UEFA Europa League play on Thursday.

The Turkish side pounced on United with a second minute goal, and led 2-0 around the hour mark. A Wayne Rooney goal in the 87th minute was the only answer, and Mourinho lost Paul Pogba to injury after a half hour.

Mourinho said Fener deserved the win, and that his side wasn’t ready at the whistle and didn’t merit anything more than a loss.

“After their second goal we had a reaction, probably we could have got a different result but I thought we didn’t deserve more. Football needs to played at your maximum, so I think they deserve it.

“They were playing a Champions League final and we were playing a summer friendly.”

“In reality we had two left-backs playing at central defence. It’s not possible to be dominant with that.”

Mourinho is referring to a back line that included Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, and Matteo Darmian. Rojo and Blind were victimized by Moussa Sow’s bicycle kick just inside the 18, while the second Fener goal came via free kick.This was a poor showing for United, and there’s a question as to whether they’ll respond against Swansea City at the weekend. Could a Premier League club be quitting on Mourinho for the second-straight season? It seems unlikely, yet merits observation.

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