Mourinho ‘bitter and baffled’ by Terriers loss

MANCHESTER UNITED: Red Devils boss criticises players’ attitude in game

Jose Mourinho accused his Manchester United side of displaying a bad attitude as they succumbed to their first Premier League defeat of the season at Huddersfield.

United were beaten 2-1 at a raucous John Smith’s Stadium, with former Manchester City man Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre doubling the number of goals conceded by the Red Devils this season.

While Terriers fans are celebrating a result that last occurred 65 years ago – Halley’s Comet comes around only slightly less frequently – Mourinho was bitter and baffled by the manner of the defeat.

“They beat us on attitude,” said the Portuguese.

“When I lose matches I like to lose because the opponent was better than us, had more quality than us. When you lose a football match because of attitude, that is really bad.

“I heard Ander Herrera in the flash interviews saying the attitude and desire was poor ... Oh my God. When a player says that, when a player feels that, I think they should all go to the press conference and explain why because I cannot explain that.

“I don’t even remember a friendly match where our attitude was so poor.

David Wagner, the Huddersfield boss who oversaw an unlikely promotion and is now making waves in the top tier, made no attempt to downplay the magnitude of the day to those who hold the club dear.

“For sure it is one of the top three moments I personally have as a manager of this club. This is a very, very proud moment. We all know how huge this win is for us, that we have beaten Manchester United.”

John Stones believes Manchester City’s free-scoring attack is being fuelled by the competition for places among forwards.

City opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Saturday with a 3-0 win over Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.

City have now scored 42 goals in 13 games in all competitions this season and equalled a club record by winning their last 11 games in succession.

Centre-back Stones said: “The strikers are on form now. The competition in training is making them want to be better and score more goals.

“When they are on the pitch they have got to take their chances and that is what they are doing.

“Burnley are a well-organised team, good defensively. They’ve shown that on the road. Coming after the Napoli game, it was never an easy match. To score three against them and keep a clean sheet is massive for us.”

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte insists he is not feeling the pressure after Chelsea fought back to snatch a thrilling 4-2 win over Watford.

“Honestly I will never be worried for this. Never. The pressure is I want for my players and to give satisfaction for my fans. I feel this type of pressure,” he said.

“When I go to my house I am happy because I know I am putting 150% for my club and my players are doing the same.”

Jose Mourinho hit out at his players after they lost to Huddersfield on Saturday.