Diplomatic Mourinho explains factors behind Man Utd defeat

Jose Mourinho admits Manchester United full deserved to lose at Huddersfield after admitting their opponents caught his side on the cold.

First-half goals from Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre helped Town to their 2-1 success, with Marcus Rashford’s second-half strike not enough to prevent United suffering their first defeat of the season.

But rather than be critical of his players, Mourinho admitted their opponents simply wanted it more.

“We deserved what we got. They wanted it more, and deserved it, When the best team wins, there’s nothing to say. I have to analyse the defeat with my players,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“I just want to be as honest and diplomatic as possible, and for me the best team won. The team that started with emotion, intensity, aggression and desire and played the game of their lives was the team that won.

“The result is the consequence of what we were in the first half and we deserved the punishment of the defeat.”

The circumstances behind Huddersfield win – a crazy wind and lashing rain – made life difficult for both sets of players, but again Mourinho was not making excuses.

“The circumstances were difficult. The wind was high but that is no excuse – they wanted it more. We were better in the second half, but they deserved it.”

Asked if United could blame the defeat on individual errors, the United boss continued: “I prefer to be in peace with football, so I’ll just say they deserved it.

“We made mistakes, but in the context of the game, I can’t complain. I won’t point our individual mistakes, that would be unfair.

“But overall we have to look at the entire game and say the better team won.”