Attitude pleases Mourinho

Jose Mourinho was pleased with Manchester United’s response to their derby loss as they overcame Bournemouth 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal as United got back to winning ways after their damaging, demoralising and controversial defeat to arch-rivals and Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

United boss Mourinho said of his players: “I think (they had a) very good attitude, very good determination to win.

“I think every team, after a defeat, tries not to have a second defeat and that was in the back of their minds when they were playing.

“They wanted to win the match and I could see that from minute one to the last second.”

On the whole, however, it was a subdued performance from United and Bournemouth tested the hosts. David de Gea produced a string of good saves in the first half and also denied Jermain Defoe an equaliser late on.

Mourinho said: “They came into the game strong, fresher than us, one more day to rest.

“Then Eddie (Howe) had two good strikers to bring into the game in the last 15 mins in Jermain and (Benik) Afobe and when we don’t score that second goal that kills the game.”

Bournemouth manager Howe thought his team were unfortunate not to get something out of the game.

He said: “I felt we had a really good first half, especially the first 20-25 minutes. I thought we dominated the game but the first time they got near our goal they scored. We created chances right up until the end.”