Jose Mourinho admits his Manchester United players could suffer a crisis of confidence following their humbling 3-2 defeat at Brighton. United were architects of their own downfall at the Amex Stadium, making mistakes in the build up to the two opening goals scored by Glenn Murray and Shane Duffy.
Romelu Lukaku briefly halved the deficit but a clumsy challenge from Eric Bailly allowed Pascal Gross to restore Albion’s two-goal lead with a penalty, before Paul Pogba converted an inconsequential stoppage-time spot-kick.
United manager Mourinho blamed individual errors for the surprise defeat and feels it could be damaging for morale.
“The confidence of the players, I think you are right,” replied Mourinho, when asked if it would be difficult to raise the spirits of his team.
“It’s not just the players, I think every person in every job makes a mistake, he’s not happy, self esteem goes down a little bit more, confidence levels, that’s human nature.
“If you ask me if my players are, in this moment, happy, I don’t think they are.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho refused to openly criticise his players, saying he had been too honest in the past and suggesting the defeat was sufficient ammunition for journalists.
“I think this game today, if I was in your position, would give me (enough) material to speak about it or to write about it,” added Mourinho.
“Don’t expect me to speak with you about it because you and your colleagues they were really critical with me in previous seasons (when) I was probably too honest, too open in my analysing.
“Expect from me to be really happy to say after Leicester (a 2-1 win), A, B, C, D, amazing performances, this and that; don’t expect me to go in the other direction.”
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