Manchester United lost their third consecutive game in all competitions following the 3-1 defeat against Watford in the Premier League today.
United fell six points behind rivals – and league leaders – Manchester City following the loss and pressure is beginning to mount on recently appointed manager Jose Mourinho.
The United boss did however, find an excuse for the defeat. Mourinho blamed the referee and linesman for not doing their job.
“We can improve on our play, we can work on it, but the referee and the linesman’s mistake is not under my control. I can’t do anything to improve it.” Mourinho was quoted as saying by Sport.
Mourinho also claimed that Anthony Martial was fouled in the lead up to Watford’s opening goal.
“I think no debate. I think no controversy. I think that is an obvious situation, like it was obvious last week against Man City but it’s something I cannot control and I can’t even be critical,” he added.
The Portuguese manager did at least admit that his side did not play well for 30 minutes in the first-half although he did claim that United were ‘much better’ in the second half.
Mourinho underlined that Watford keeper Gomes played a key role in United failing to find another goal after their second half equaliser.
The United head coach also stated that a few ‘lucky moments’ contributed to the defeat as well.
“In the first half for about 25 to 30 minutes we didn’t play well and that is something that we can control. In the second half we were much better. We got the equaliser and after that we were the team. Gomes makes a phenomenal save and the lucky moments again are not something we can control. We cannot control the referee, we cannot control the lucky moments. The only thing we can control is our individual and collective mistakes,” he said.
Follow Emre Sarigul @Turkish_Futbol