Mourinho fears for self esteem of his players after humbling defeat
Jose Mourinho admits his Manchester United players could suffer a crisis of confidence following their humbling 3-2 defeat at Brighton.
United were architects of their own downfall at the Amex Stadium, making mistakes in the build up to the two opening goals scored by Glenn Murray and Shane Duffy. Romelu Lukaku briefly halved the deficit but a clumsy challenge from Eric Bailly allowed Pascal Gross to restore Albion’s two-goal lead with a penalty, before Paul Pogba converted an inconsequential stoppagetime spot-kick.
United manager Mourinho blamed individual errors for the surprise defeat and feels it could be damaging for morale.
“The confidence of the players, I think you are right,” replied Mourinho, when asked if it would be difficult to raise the spirits of his team. “It’s not just the players, I think every person in every job makes a mistake, he’s not happy, self esteem goes down a little bit more, confidence
levels, that’s human nature.
“If you ask me if my players are, in this moment, happy, I don’t think they are.”
Brighton, who beat United 1-0 in May to make sure of their top-flight status, repeated the trick by blowing away their opponents in the opening 45 minutes.
Striker Murray took advantage of shoddy defending to superbly flick home the 25thminute opener, and centreback Duffy converted two minutes later after the visitors failed to clear a corner.
Lukaku’s close-range header looked like it could inspire a fightback, but Gross’ spotkick, after he was felled by a clumsy challenge from Bailly,
secured the three points just before the break.
Pogba, captaining United, made the scoreline more respectable with almost the final kick of the game following Duffy’s foul on substitute Marouane Fellaini.
Mourinho refused to openly criticise his players, saying he had been too honest in the past and suggesting the defeat was sufficient ammunition for journalists.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton was pleased to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Watford. “Very proud of the performance, particularly the reaction from last week,” said Hughton.