United fighting for top four place after derby defeat

Manchester United can forget trying to challenge Manchester City until they can compete for a place in the Premier League top four, Jose Mourinho said as his side were outclassed in a 3-1 derby defeat by the English champions on Sunday.

A fourth league loss of the season leaves United already 12 points adrift of their local rivals just 12 games into the new campaign.

Of greater concern for Mourinho’s job prospects, the Red Devils are seven points adrift of the top four, putting Champions League qualification next season at risk.

Indeed, eighth-placed United are now as close to Cardiff in the relegation zone as they are to City.

“We knew that there is a difference in potential [with City],” Mourinho, whose side finished second in the Premier League last season, albeit a record 19 points behind City’s 100-point tally, said.

“Since the beginning of the season, we knew that our second position last season was a fantastic achievement for us, and this season we are going to fight for the top four.”

Yet Mourinho’s tune was very different on his last visit to the Etihad when United spoilt City’s chance to seal the title in the derby by coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

“The point is can we improve enough to catch them next season?” Mourinho said that day in April, but has only overseen a collapse in United’s ambitions since.

Despite spending more than City in the summer transfer window, the Portuguese coach has routinely trotted out the excuse that he was not backed enough in the market to mount a title challenge.

Mourinho’s latest justification was that City had an easier week to prepare, having thrashed Southampton and Shakhtar Donetsk 6-1 and 6-0 respectively at home, while United fought to the end to secure 2-1 wins at Bournemouth and Juventus.

“I told the players already that one thing is to win two matches at home six to zero, be fresh and relaxed physically and mentally,” he said.

“Another thing is two matches away, where the second one is against Juventus, where you fight like animals, and not just a physical effort but a mental effort.

“The pressure before and during the game. And I think some of the boys felt it.” –