MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Jose Mourinho thinks his side “totally controlled” Chelsea during their 2-0 Premier League victory at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera scored early in each half as United blew the title race wide open and boosted their own hopes of finishing in the top four with a valuable victory at Old Trafford.
Mourinho felt United were dominant as Chelsea failed to register a shot on target in a league match for the first time since September 2007.
And the United boss believes the victory proves his team would have beaten Chelsea in last month’s FA Cup quarter-final tie, had Herrera not received a controversial red card in that match at Stamford Bridge.
“We were tactically very good and the players did an amazing job,” Mourinho, who pointed to the United badge as he walked off the pitch, told Sky Sports.
“They totally controlled a team full of fantastic players, who are creative and fast. We controlled them totally and I am really happy.
“It was the same tactics as when we went to Stamford Bridge in the cup.
“That game was totally controlled when we played with 11 players and only the [refereeing] decision that made us play with 10 players for all the second half, plus 10 minutes in the first half, gave Chelsea a chance to be dominant.
“We knew that playing this way would be very difficult for them.
“From a personal point of view, thinking about just about me and my work, [what made me most happy] was being totally convinced that we would be playing the FA Cup semi-final this weekend if we played Stamford Bridge with 11 men. That is totally convincing.”
Mourinho added to MUTV: “They struggled to cope with everything. They struggled to cope with us defensively and they struggled to cope with us with Marcus and other target points we had on the pitch.
“The performance was really very, very good and it is a pleasure for me to say that the [league] leaders – the leaders with some difference – could not cope with our performance.”
Listening to the Sky sports panel. Alan McInally seems to be genuinely confused as to why Wayne Rooney has been left on the bench!! Christ where did they get him from??
Everton Robert. In 2004.
He’s on for the second half – I’ve never seen a United team as devoid of passion or any spark as this one. Christ it’s bleak.
You’re not wrong Robert. Painful to watch. Fellaini is absolute shite as usual.
I will not lie, the way they play is horrendous, but these comments sections make up for it!
Fellaini not the worst of them. Memphis, herrera and blind all absolute rubbish. And all bought by van gaal.
He’s out of shape and has been for his entire career. Rooney has coasted on talent and cut every possible corner. It’s no wonder that he’s 30 and looks and plays like a 35 year old.
He has played top level first team football sooner then most. No suprise the body is starting to get weary.
Compare him physically to Ronaldo. There is no comparison.
Its a weary story. He’s unmotivated, unfit, long long past his best, overindulged by LVG, grossly overpaid, a smoker/drinker/junk food fiend, basically an all round poor professional. He’s been sanitised by captaincy of England and without the old snarl is a neutered threat. He’ll never be the football statesman he’s angling to be. Plus he clearly fancies a swansong in Everton before retirement. Time to say goodbye
He wouldn’t get in the Everton team.
He’s a throw back to the footballers of the 1980s
Lvg in.
Dwight Yorke is a shocking pundit. Calling Rooney “Wazza” goes to show where his prerogative is.
Agree. One of the many brain dead cliche-ridden ex-player pundits that Sky use. Redknapp, Henry as well.
And I forgot to mention the sleep inducing Niall Quinn who tops the lot in my opinion.
So, he finally drops his worst player. The fans get what they want. He even brought him on for the second half to prove that he was right to drop him. Then, after all this time trying to get the guy dropped, there are still morons who question why he dropped him. I give in! Here’s how the game went:
http://whysayanything.com/2015/12/26/united-van-gaal-do-nothing-to-convince/
its time for Rooney to be moved on. He has been useless for the last 3 seasons. should have kept Hernandez
Looks more like a darts player than a footballer
Sad to see a pathetic Utd again today.
Watched a “must win” game today and there was only one team playing to win!
Fellani, Jones and Memphis are not Utd players and like LVG should be given their P45s. It’s the manner in which Utd are losing is the worst thing. No fight, class or willingness to win! Attitude is all wrong! That must stem from LVG and I include the mute Giggs in that. I watched the three management team sit quietly throughout the whole game. No giving out, cajoling or even given out instructions – just sitting mutely as another 3pts goes away. ‘ three stooges’.
I hear they are lacking confidence!! Their bank accounts are not and also no urgency!!! If inevitably Jose does get the job- he will have to sign quite a lot of “January players” and turn average players into workers. I wouldn’t bank on it- they will give the job to Giggs – who has not been able to change these players already !! Top 4 is a distant dream- get use to Thursday night football!!
Dude, on every article?
United looked better when he was on the pitch which is saying alot about what went on in the first half .
LVG is in a no win situation. He will pay the price like all managers of non performing teams. Rooney has been poor for a long time and really has been overrated for years. All great to see as a non utd supporter.
Fletcher scored.. Should have kept him as well I suppose