Mourinho Blames Referee, Players’ Errors For Watford Defeat

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has blamed ill-luck and refereeing decisions for his side’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Watford on Sunday, Complete Sports Nigeria reports.

It was United’s first loss to Watford in 30 years, prompting Mourinho to say in his post-match interview:

“I’m always concerned when we don’t get the result we want.”

When asked if it was a foul by Miguel Britos in the build-up to Watford’s opening goal, Mourinho replied:

“That’s an obvious situation. I think there is no debate, no controversy. I think that is an obvious situation, like it was obvious last week against Man City but it’s something I don’t control and I cannot even be critical of.”

“In the eyes of everyone, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Manchester United fan or a Watford fan or whatever, it was obvious.”

The former Chelsea boss them blamed the defeat on bad luck, the referee and his players’ mistakes.

He added:

“I think in the first half, for about 25 to 30 minutes, we didn’t play well and that is something we can control, we can improve and we can work on it.”

“The referee and linesman’s mistake is not under my control. I can’t do anything to improve it and, in the second half, we were much better. We got the equaliser and, after that, we were the team [pushing for a winner]. [Heurelho] Gomes makes a phenomenal save and the luck is against us, something we cannot control.”

“We had a strong period where we showed intensity, quality and desire.”

“There was a creation of opportunities – the goal, the almost goal when it was a great save by the opponent.”

“We had that period where, in the stadium, everyone was thinking about Manchester United going on to score a goal and win the game.”

“I cannot control the referee (Michael Oliver) and the lucky moments. The only thing we can control is our own individual mistakes and collective mistakes.”

“In that second goal, for example, it was an individual mistake because we know we have to press the wing-backs outside the box and not let them take advantage of being one against one in the box. Then we had another individual mistake in not taking care of the midfielder.”

“The game was going really well. The pressure was there and the team was trying to win, showing confidence but, in one isolated counter-attack, completely isolated – I don’t remember David [De Gea]touching the ball in the second half, they scored a goal.”

“Collectively and individually, we need to get better.”