Jose Mourinho picked out some of the positives
from Manchester United’s Premier League defeat against Chelsea on Sunday
afternoon.
The Reds suffered only a second loss of the
season so far in all competitions as Alvaro Morata’s header separated
the sides at Stamford Bridge in the final Premier League game before the
ensuing international break.
HOW THE GAME WENT
“I think they scored in the only period they were on top in the game
but apart from, that the game was even. The game was controlled by us
and the game was controlled by them. We had chances and they had chances
and with the first goal they found themselves winning and were able to
bring more people to defend but, even so, knowing they can defend with a
lot of people. We had a go, we tried to change the direction of our
game. We created chances to equalise but we couldn’t.”
COULD WE HAVE DEFENDED BETTER FOR CHELSEA’S GOAL?
“Yes, especially because we spoke during the preparation of the match
and we spoke again at half-time. We knew the crosses from the middle
positions, crosses from the inside, not crosses from the goalline and we
know the movement of the strikers, sometimes in front of the defenders,
sometimes behind, so that’s exactly what we were speaking [about] in
the dressing room. The first team to score in these games normally wins.
We conceded a goal in a situation where we should be in control.”
HAPPY WITH THE CHANCES YOUR TEAM CREATED?
“I don’t know the number, I don’t know the quality. I was on the bench
following the game and not counting. I think we had chances. If I
remember, [Nemanja] Matic’s header in the face of [Chelsea goalkeeper
Thibault] Courtois. If I remember, [Romelu] Lukaku’s shot in the first
half and if I remember in the last part of the game, [Marcus] Rashford’s
shot and Courtois without any chance. The cross to the far post to
[Marouane] Fellaini with the chest and the volley and the consequence of
that. We had lots of chances to score a goal.”
THE REACTION WAS TREMENDOUS
“In the beginning of the second half, we made a mistake which hurt us
twice, first because it changed the direction of the game and second
because [it was] a typical situation that we analyse that we trained and
we should control but then the reaction was tremendous. The players had
the attitude, the courage, they gave absolutely everything. We clearly
deserved a late goal with so much pressure that we put on them. I think
we were punished by one mistake and I think we saw two strong teams.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
“We
are second – not fifth, sixth or seventh or eighth. We have 18 teams in
a more difficult position than we have. Eight points is eight points.
We went through a very difficult phase with probably the most important
matches against Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea without important
players. I don’t like to speak [about injuries] and it’s not after a
defeat that I’m going to speak but it’s obvious that we went through a
difficult phase with limitations.”
PRAISE FOR FELLAINI
“I
get the chance to not just praise but thank Fellaini for an
unbelievable effort he made because he trained with the team only
yesterday [Saturday] for the first time and put himself available to try
to help the team today. It’s important for me to give him a big word.”
