‘WHY ALWAYS LUKAKU? NOW YOU KNOW!’

Mourinho hits back at critics who have called for Rashford and Martial to be given more chances

JOSE Mourinho accused his Manchester United stars of going for a stroll by the seaside as they were stunned by Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Friday.

Chris Hughton’s side secured Premier League safety with their 1-0 win courtesy of Pascal Gross’ header but Mourinho blasted his players for showing no fight, taking a thinly veiled swipe at Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Mourinho later turned on the media and fans as he said there has been too much focus on why he constantly selects Romelu Lukaku up front. He felt this loss proved why.

He said: “The players that replaced others did not perform at a good level. When individuals do that it is difficult for the team to play well. Maybe now you will not ask me why A, B and C do not play so much.

“Why always Lukaku? Why always Lukaku? Why always Lukaku? You have the answer why always Lukaku.”

United face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 19 but it is now likely Martial and Rashford will not play a part.

The United manager also indicated he feels he cannot trust the fringe members of his squad and said: “I think there was a clear difference in the desire to fight for the targets.

“They clearly showed that, for them, it’s more important for them to stay in the Premier League than for us to finish second. They showed it from the first minute and we didn’t show that.

“We showed it in the last 20 minutes, a bit of pride. They (Brighton) were here ready to give everything for that point, and we were not able to motivate ourselves. For me, that is always disappointing because that’s not me. That’s not me.”

He continued: “If my players want to be honest and fair, which I think they want... if you ask them they will tell you how long I spoke and how long I tried before the game, during the week, trying to anticipate the scenario.

“We were not ready to prove that the second position is important for us. I am disappointed because second is important for me. I’m not sure every one of my players is disappointed.”