Mourinho tears into Manchester United players after Red Devils suffer 1-3 defeat against Watford; says team's third consecutive loss was caused by individual and collective mistakes
Manchester United's players (left to right) Marouane Fellaini, Chris Smalling, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata wear a dejected look during the English Premier League match against Watford at Vicarage Road in London yesterday. Pic/AP
Watford (UK): Jose Mourinho admits Manchester United's lack of confidence has contributed to their dismal three-match losing streak.
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Mourinho's side slumped to an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at Watford yesterday to cap a miserable week that also included losses against Manchester City and Feyenoord.
After winning the first three games of the Mourinho era, United are stuck in a rut and looked painfully short of inspiration in their first defeat against Watford for 30 years.
Tepid display
It was a tepid display that recalled the worst moments of Louis van Gaal's reign and Mourinho believes his players are suffering from a lack of belief that takes an extra toll whenever an important moment goes against them.
Jose Mourinho
"We started the season very well and had good results. I feel the first moment we had a defeat or a difficult situation, some of the boys had a bit of difficulty coping with the negativity," Mourinho said.
"You see Ashley Young, his mentality the happiness and confidence he brought to the game is something more players need to have."
It is the first time a Mourinho team has lost three in a row since he was in charge at Porto in 2002. But Mourinho isn't about to panic because he believes United's woes are only partially self-inflicted and he expects a revival once their luck changes.
"I reflect on three factors from the match, but only one of them I can improve," he said.
"The first factor depends on ourselves, it relates to our individual mistakes and collective mistakes as individual players and as a team. We have to improve something. It is in our hands. The second factor is the referee and I can't control their mistakes. The story of the game is the result and not the situation of the first goal."
'Best team lost'
"The third factor is luck, we didn't have it. We were the best team when we lost. Heurelho Gomes made a phenomenal save from a Zlatan Ibrahimovic header," said Jose
It was Watford's first victory over United in 30 years.
"It is a important three points to give my players the confidence to go ahead," said Watford manager Walter Mazzarri.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace inflicted a crushing 4-1 defeat upon winless Stoke City. Andros Townsend set up the opening goal for James Tomkins at Selhurst Park and completed the scoring with his first Palace goal after Scott Dann and James McArthur had also got on the score-sheet.
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