Jose Mourinho admits Man United failed to cope with Chelsea star
Jose Mourinho reflects on Manchester United's 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, as Alvaro Morata headed the winner
Jose Mourinho has admitted that he was frustrated that his team were not able to stop Alvaro Morata’s goal in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Spanish striker netted the eventual winner in the 55th minute for Antonio Conte’s side as he rose to head home Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross to hand Chelsea all three points.
Morata has made a fine start to life at Chelsea, scoring seven goals in the Premier League for the Blues since his move to Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid back in July.
The 25-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United before he eventually ended up signing for the west London club.
And Mourinho has admitted that he specifically spoke to his players about Morata’s threat in the air both before the game and at half-time.
Speaking at his post-match news conference at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho said: “Yes [we could have defended better for Morata’s goal], 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 goal-line 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.”
Manchester United’s loss left them in second place in the Premier League table and eight points behind leaders Manchester City after 11 games of the new campaign.
The Red Devils are next back in action after the international break when they take on Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Saturday 18 November as they look to get back to winning ways.
