Jose Mourinho defends Man United setback at Brighton
The Manchester United manager defends his players after a 3-1 loss at Brighton
Jose Mourinho believes Sunday’s defeat by Brighton was ‘normal’ and
typical of underdog teams making life difficult for the top sides such as Manchester United.
Brighton won 3-2 at The Amex thanks to goals from Glen Murray, Shane Duffy and Pascal Gross, overpowering United for large periods of the game with a solid game plan.
Chris Hughton set his team up to stifle the Red Devil’s, not allowing them any time on the ball and dictating the tempo of the game from the middle of the pitch.
Man United did manage to score twice, but neither goal was a result of free-flowing attacking football, as Romelu Lukaku bundled home a cross and Paul Pogba dispatched a late penalty.
Mourinho’s side struggled to get a hold on the game in midfield or get into advanced positions, but the Portuguese boss has insisted that Brighton’s success was a result of their high levels of motivation rather than Man United’s ineptitude.
Mourinho told his pre-match media conference: “I think it’s normal that a team with different ambitions when they face the top teams they have different levels of motivation which they [Brighton] showed, but
sometimes it can be a fake feeling.
“I think that what makes the big difference is the happiness, the confidence and, without nothing, they are winning 2-0 and obviously that gives a big boost and that pushes mentally the losing side down.”
Sunday was the first time since a 2015 defeat against Arsenal that the Red Devils had conceded three first half goals and it was their second consecutive away defeat against the Seagulls.
Supporters will hope that the team can bounce back next Monday against Tottenham at Old Trafford and lift the negative mood that is currently surrounding the club.
