Jose Mourinho salutes two Man United players after Crystal Palace comeback

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho Photo: The Sport Review

Jose Mourinho singled out Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford for special praise after the attacking duo helped Manchester United to come from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 on Monday night.

The Red Devils found themselves 2-0 down at Selhurst Park in the Premier League clash but managed to fight back and claim an important victory in the race for Champions League qualification.

Goals from Chris Smalling, Romelu Lukaku and a last-minute stunner from Nemanja Matic notched up the three points for Mourinho’s men as they moved back above Liverpool FC in the Premier League table and into second place.

Mourinho chose to introduce both Mata and Rashford as substitutes in the second half on Monday night and the Red Devils boss was delighted by the pair’s performances from the bench.

Speaking at his post-match news conference, Mourinho said: “That disgraceful, childish second goal [we conceded] changed everything. But the players kept an amazing attitude.

“Juan Mata was finding spaces inside, Marcus Rashford was open on the left and brought their right-back wide to give us more space in the middle.

“You always need that little bit of luck to win a match in the last few minutes.”

Next up for Manchester United is their crunch clash against Liverpool FC at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime as the race for Champions League qualification hots up.

Manchester United are aiming to at least finish in the top four this season after they ended up in sixth place in the top flight table under Mourinho last term.

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