SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 8 hrs 30 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
VL
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 12, 2018 at 8pm UK
 
MU

2-1

Soler (17'), Jones (47' og.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Rashford (87')

Jose Mourinho frustrated as United’s fringe players blow their chance to impress

:Headline: Jose Mourinho frustrated as United’s fringe players blow their chance to impress: ID:344066: from db_amp
The Manchester United boss made eight changes for the Valencia clash.

Jose Mourinho was frustrated but not surprised by the way his squad players blew their chance to impress and secure Manchester United top spot in their Champions League group.

Already assured of knockout phase football next year, the Portuguese made eight changes for Wednesday’s match at Valencia as injuries took their toll ahead of the trip to Liverpool.

United knew victory at the Mestalla would see them top Group H in the unlikely event that Juventus slipped up in Switzerland, but Mourinho’s men failed to do their bit as the improbable played out at Young Boys.

The Serie A giants lost 2-1 at the same time that United fell by the same scoreline in Spain, where a Carlos Soler strike and Phil Jones own goal meant substitute Marcus Rashford’s late strike was just a consolation effort.

None of those brought in did themselves any favours, so it was little wonder that Mourinho looked at the end of his tether and offered the response of “not pleased” in a brusque start to the press conference.

“I think that to qualify in this group is a success,” the United boss said. “Never a failure. To finish second in this group is always a success.

“Before the game I told the players that if we win tonight and Juventus win, we did our job.

“If we don’t win and Juventus doesn’t win, we can blame ourselves.

“I don’t think the draw finishing first or second – apart from a couple of clubs that are clearly much better than the others – I don’t think the draw will be significantly different…

“But I expect (better) from my players, especially players that week in, week out, you ask me ‘why don’t they play?’, ‘why they don’t they start?’

“(It) was a good match to play, a match without any kind of pressure, a match in a competition that everybody likes to play.

Phil Jones scored an own goal (Martin Rickett/PA)

“And, in the end, my team improved, really, when I made the changes that I didn’t want to make, which is a little bit of frustration because I didn’t want to play the three players that I played in the second half.”

Ashley Young replaced the injured Marcos Rojo after a torrid first half, while Rashford came on for summer signing Fred and Jesse Lingard was brought on for Romelu Lukaku.

Paul Pogba failed to shine after starting the last two matches on the bench, while Eric Bailly and Andreas Pereira also struggled to make an impact.

Asked if he had learned anything about his players, Mourinho retorted: “No, maybe you did. Not me.

“I didn’t learn anything from this game. Anything. Nothing that happened surprised me at all.”

It was a cutting response from Mourinho, whose squad players’ performances at the Mestalla only reinforced long-standing opinions.

The United boss confirmed that Nemanja Matic and David De Gea were the only players rested for the trip to Spain.

“If this match was a match to decide the group, it would be a very similar team,” Mourinho said.

“That’s the reality. So, when sometimes when you analyse Manchester United and you speak about our ambitions and speak about our level, sometimes you should learn the situation a little bit better because you make certain kind of comments.”

Valencia will be playing Europa League football despite this memorable win.

Head coach Marcelino said: “We needed this winning feeling back in our game. Today we are very satisfied and I’m happy for the players. We were brave and adventurous.”

amp_article__344066 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-12-12 23:32:34:
html db last update - 2021-02-18 08:48:25 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jose Mourinho

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .