Jose Mourinho lambasted his attacking united while praising Ben Foster as Manchester United were held to a goalless draw at Old Trafford by West Brom.
Manchester United had the chance to close the the points-gap between themselves and the top four as they hosted West Bromwich Albion. The Red Devils, though, failed to break down a West Brom who seemed to have come with the aim of avoiding defeat and the game ended without a goal.
Jose Mourinho was frustrated at the result and vented his dissatisfaction, in the post-match conference, towards his attacking unit’s inability to slice open the Baggies defence while he praised his defensive unit – back six as he called it – for their contribution to the game on Saturday.
“We had six players for me, who were absolutely phenomenal in their attitude, mentality and consistency. And then you have four creative players, four you need to score a goal for you and they didn’t. They had flashes, glimpses and moments but they don’t have consistency. We pay with two more points [dropped] for that.”
However, The Portuguese refused to be drawn towards criticising the opposition’s game plan, which evidently was to sit back and absorb pressure without any attacking intent for major parts of the game. Mourinho, though, praised Foster’s efforts in the goalless draw.
“He is there for that. The goalkeepers come here with great motivation for them, lots of work. I always heard from goalkeepers the easy thing for them is to be in action for 90 minutes. They want to be in action all the time so it gives them better conditions to be focused, concentrated and warm to make fantastic saves.”
“I heard this since I was a kid with my father. In the modern day, it’s exactly the same. The boy Foster was very good.”
Mourinho lamented his side’s inability to score a goal and reflected on the fact that the key to winning such games or making such fixtures an open game – one where the opponent sits back and absorbs pressure – is to get a goal; regardless of the timing of it.
Manchester United’s profligacy in front of the goal is starting to cost them. However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to return to action for their mid-week tie against Everton and it would be interesting to see if the Swede’s return can spring the Red Devils’ attack into action.