Mourinho asked about title race after ‘difficult match’

Michael Graham

Jose Mourinho answered questions about the title race as Manchester United saw off Bournemouth 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku hit back at his critics with the only goal of the game as United edged past an impressive Bournemouth side.

Lukaku, who had an afternoon to forget as United suffered a damaging loss to rivals Manchester City at the weekend, headed home after 25 minutes on a night of heavy rain and sleet at Old Trafford.

Substitute Marcus Rashford later hit the bar but it was an otherwise subdued performance from United, who were thankful David de Gea was on top form with a string of fine saves.

“I am pleased with the three points, it was difficult match. They had one more day’s rest than us, they were fresher than us, and mentally fresher because a big match takes more from our players,” said Mourinho.

“We had chances, Martial missed a good chance, Rashford could have had an astonishing effort, and in the last 15 they pushed us.”

Asked if there was a hangover from the derby, Mourinho said: “Fatigue, yes, but hangover – no. The game was a big one, and a defeat does not help in your recovery – victories help, defeats don’t.

“They were difficult opponents and difficult conditions. If we had scored the second it would have been a calm night for us.”

With Man City winning 4-0 at Swansea to maintain their 11-point lead at the top of the table, Mourinho was asked whether the title race was over.

“I said we play match after match and the next we have to try to win, we have a difficult one at West Brom and we try match after match. It is only over in May, if it is over now I go on holiday to Brazil or Los Angeles,” added Mourinho.

The United boss was also asked about Luke Shaw, who got a rare start tonight.

“I’m not saying first or second choice, he’s an option. His history is an incredible injury and more surgery at the end of last season. He needs competitive matches, we gave him that and he had some cramps so we had to change him.

“The standing ovation for him I liked, it helps the player.”