United lacked desire at Brighton: Mourinho
brighton — Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho took aim at his players for not having the required desire in a 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Friday that secured the Seagulls’ place in the Premier League next season.
Just over two weeks ahead of the FA Cup final against his old club Chelsea, United boss Mourinho made six changes and was punished as Pascal Gross’s second-half header secured Brighton’s first win over the Red Devils since 1982.
“Today I think was a clear difference in the desire to fight for the targets,” said Mourinho, whose side missed the chance to all but secure second place in the Premier League behind champions Manchester City.
“They clearly showed that, for them, it’s more important for them to stay in the Premier
Today I think was a clear difference in the desire to fight for the targets Jose Mourinho
League than for us to finish second. They showed it from the first minute, and we didn’t show that.
“I am disappointed because second is important for me. I’m not sure every one of my players is disappointed.”
Chants of “We are staying up” rang around a packed house at the Amex Stadium at full-time as victory moved Brighton up to 11th and more importantly eight points clear of the bottom three.
With third-bottom Southampton and 17th-placed Swansea to meet on Tuesday, Brighton now can’t now be relegated. —