Jose Mourinho applauded Manchester City’s Premier League title success, but lambasted Manchester United after West Bromwich Albion’s shock 1-0 win on Sunday.
In order to prevent City from being crowned champions for a few more days, United had to avoid defeat against bottom club Albion at Old Trafford.
But Jay Rodriguez’s 73rd-minute header gave West Brom a stunning victory after they arrived at Old Trafford having lost nine of their previous 10 games.
It is ironic that United came back from 2-0 down against City themselves last weekend to win 3-2 and delay City’s party, only to surrender so tamely on home soil.
Mourinho claimed afterwards that he had not been happy after the City result because he knew they would win the league regardless, and he accused some of his players of getting carried away.
“I don’t know if I was the first or second or third, but I congratulate them face-to-face when I had the chance,” Mourinho said.
Congratulations to Manchester City on their Premier League title win.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 15, 2018
“I knew that sooner or later they would be (champions), and if I was in their position, I would be very upset if someone said they won the title because Manchester United lost against West Brom.
“They won because they were the best team, they lost only a few points. Probably because I won eight championships, I was not in the moon with the victory against them.
“That doesn’t make me feel super happy, and in my opinion affected for sure some of the people that was too happy.”
United’s afternoon was symptomatic of their entire season.
Their squad is crammed full of wonderfully potent performers such as Juan Mata, Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, yet the Premier League table, which shows them 16 points behind City, does not lie.
FT: #MUFC0 West Brom 1. pic.twitter.com/kT4XslWF34
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 15, 2018
United have scored a full 30 goals fewer than City this season, and Mourinho has not managed to get his side to click, despite being able to bring on further talent such as Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.
Mourinho pulled no punches about his squad’s lack of consistency, but the former Chelsea boss made it clear he believes he can return United to the summit of English football.
“I trust in my work, that is for sure – I have no reason not to trust,” he said.
“Eight titles are eight titles, and three Premier Leagues are three Premier Leagues. I know how to win, and I believe in myself. I think with my experience, you don’t win titles with inconsistency.
“You win titles with consistency at every level – not just the performance level, but the mental level and the day-by-day.
Gonna be a long MNF tomorrow ! We are on at 7pm. Don’t tune in!!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 15, 2018
“Everything must be consistent until the last day. One of the things we have to improve is our consistency.”
The first half was a terrible advert for the English top-flight.
Jake Livermore had one decent effort saved by David de Gea and Lukaku smashed an effort right into Ben Foster’s face, but that was about it.
The second half was not much better, but Foster did wonderfully well after 66 minutes to tip a Lukaku effort around the post, before the visitors’ resistance was then unexpectedly rewarded with 17 minutes remaining.
Nemanja Matic panicked at the delivery of a Chris Brunt corner, and he knocked the ball back inside to Rodriguez, who could not miss from three yards out.