It has reached the point where most people know what to expect from José Mourinho.
Things go well. Then they stop going well. Then the players bear the brunt of the criticism.
Mourinho’s Manchester United team are on a win of just two wins from seven games and one away victory from six, after slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Fenerbahçe in Istanbul.
Goals from Moussa Sow and Jeremain Lens made the difference, with Wayne Rooney firing home a late consolation, and Mourinho used his post-match comments to blame himself everyone but himself.
Absolutely incredible! Moussa Sow with an unbelievable overhead kick for @Fenerbahce_EN. 🔥🔥🔥 #UEL https://t.co/l68JhRd2c4
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 3, 2016
“Football is not just about quality, it is also about effort, commitment, playing the limits and giving everything,” Mourinho said.
“Our problems started in our global attitude. They were playing the Champions League final, we were playing a summer friendly.”
In his post-match interview, the Portuguese coach spoke of the struggle his team had with two left-backs (Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind) in the centre of defence.
Mourinho also accused his players of ignoring his pre-match advice and underestimating a team which slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
“I pass to the players all my experience, and my experience is that when you play against them at home it’s easy always – 2-0 or 4-0. You come to Turkey and it’s a completely different story.
“I told them to wait for that and not be focused on an easy game – be ready for completely different game but we started the game sleeping.”
Sow opened the scoring in the second minute with a fine effort, and United were forced to withdraw Paul Pogba before half time.
The French midfielder is now an injury doubt for Sunday’s trip to Swansea, while the defeat in Istanbul leaves United with a tough task in Europe as well as domestically.
They are likely to need at least four points from their last two group games – at home to Feyenoord and away to a Zorya side who have not lost in Luhansk all season.
