The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Jose Mourinho accused his Manchester United stars of failing to follow instructions after Christian Eriksen scored just 11 seconds into Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Wembley.
United boss Mourinho was furious with his side’s sloppy defending as they made a host of mistakes that allowed Eriksen to blast Tottenham ahead with the joint second fastest goal in Premier League history.
Phil Jones allowed Harry Kane to win a header from the kick-off and, with the rest of the United defence caught flat-footed, Dele Alli pounced with a deft pass that Eriksen steered home from close-range.
FT: Tottenham 2 #MUFC 0.
A frustrating night at Wembley for United as Eriksen’s first-minute finish and a Jones own goal seal the points for Spurs. #TOTMUN pic.twitter.com/ECRzGQiq0s
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 31, 2018
Adding insult to injury for Mourinho, Jones booted a Kieran Trippier cross into his own net midway through the first half to double Tottenham’s lead.
United’s first defeat in nine league games would have been even more painful had the hosts converted more of the numerous chances they created.
Mourinho had no doubt where the blame lay as he criticised his players for failing to follow the warnings he had given about Tottenham’s aggressive start to matches.
“I don’t think it is very normal to concede a goal like we did after 15 seconds,” he said.
“It is especially ridiculous because the players, they watch it before, we analyse opponents and work on opponents’ dynamics and routines.
“The players they knew the long ball, they knew that Harry Kane – before the kick-off, is already inside the opponent’s half. We knew everything.
+3 !! Great night at Wembley COME ON YOU SPURS !! 3 puntos seguimos sumando !! ??? #COYS #EL11 pic.twitter.com/lfEWRQmcDf
— Erik Manuel Lamela (@ErikLamela) January 31, 2018
“Then we don’t press the ball – one mistake. We don’t pick the ball in the air – second mistake.
“We don’t win the second ball on the ground – third mistake. We don’t cover the inside when Eriksen comes – four mistakes.
“Four mistakes after 15 seconds and you are losing 1-0 against a good team.”
With second placed United clinging to faint hopes of catching leaders Manchester City, it was a badly-timed meltdown from Mourinho’s men.
