Real hope for Kane
> Pochettino hopeful talisman striker will be back for Madrid clash <
did not lose this game because Harry Kane was not here.
“Football is a collective sport and you always have to adapt when someone is not fit to play. I was happy with everyone’s performance and I think we deserved more than zero points.”
United’s slender victory maintained the club’s 100% start to the season at Old Trafford and they have yet to concede a goal at home this campaign.
United also got back to winning ways in the Premier League following their dire 2-1 loss away to Huddersfield last weekend that left Jose Mourinho bemoaning his side’s attitude.
But he was much happier after United stretched their lead over title rivals Spurs to three points thanks to super sub Anthony Martial’s 81st-minute goal.
“I liked the performance. If the result had been 0-0 or 1-1 my feelings with the players would be the same,” said the United manager.
“They gave absolutely everything, every ball was like the most important one of their career. The focus and concentration was there against a quality team, the desire.
Some United fans at Old Trafford were unhappy that Mourinho brought off Marcus Rashford in the 70th minute.
They booed the decision but Mourinho’s choice was vindicated 11 minutes later with Martial’s winner.
“Anthony Martial is the same position as Marcus but is more comfortable than Marcus dropping in between the lines to help drive the ball and not just attack space,” added Mourinho.
“And I told him to do that and to play from (Romelu) Lukaku. He was against three very good central defenders, but they had a hard match for 60/70 minutes against Lukaku and Rashford.”
Mourinho put his finger against his lips in a gesture at the final whistle that appeared to be aimed at home fans who’d initially been upset by the Rashford substitution.
“Calm down, relax a little bit. Speak, speak, speak – don’t be so nervous, relax,” Mourinho said when explaining what he had meant by his action. – AFP