MOUR SLAMS TEAM

players’ quality and mental strength, suggesting they didn’t try hard enough.

He said: “I can have complaints with quality and mental approach. You have to try always.”

Ferdinand also laid into United for a lack of effort.

He said: “As a footballer, your DNA is about hard work and effort. I didn’t see that today. I didn’t see them make two or three passes in succession – that’s criminal.”

And, after his midweek bust-up with Paul Pogba and digs at Phil Jones and Eric Bailly following the Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat to Derby, Mourinho had a go at Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez.

The latter was axed from the squad, despite travelling down to London, and was replaced by fans’ favourite Martial.

Mourinho said: “Look, for how many months people ask for Martial and say Alexis Sanchez is not playing well enough, so I picked Martial and left Alexis out.

“Martial is not a player very, very focused on his defensive duties, so I played him as a second striker.”