Jose Mourinho admitted he will be unable to work miracles to restore Manchester United’s confidence after they fell to a second successive defeat with a 0-1 loss to Feyenoord on Thursday.
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Pogba, signed for a world-record fee of $116 million last month, was given more attacking license than in previous matches by being played alongside Ander Herrera and Morgan Schniederlin in midfield, but was a peripheral figure, especially in the first half.
“I was not saying that we are a phenomenal team and we are going to destroy every opponent”.
“I know the situation is not a case of clicking your fingers and everything is ideal”.
“United upped the tempo and used their physical presence in moments of the game, making it very hard for us”.
A good start would certain help United’s chances in Hertfordshire, given the sloppy and unwieldy first-half displays that played a large part in their downfall in both the Manchester derby and their Europa League opener.
“We have to be disciplined for the whole game and execute our tactical plan well, to show that we have made steps in this area”, the Feyenoord manager said at a press conference.
“Obviously when you lose matches then the mood and feeling is not the same”. The England captain has gone three club matches without scoring, and with questions still being asked about his best position and even his future at Old Trafford, may feel he has a thing or two to prove.
United paid an eye-watering 105million euros (£89million) to bring back a player who left them four years earlier in search of first-team football, with a further five million euros (£4.25million) due if certain targets are met.
“Feyenoord are doing very well, and I have already indicated at the beginning of the season that I expect them to compete with us and Ajax for the title”, he said, quoted on the club’s official website. We are experienced people, the players are good guys.
Mourinho dismissed the sweeping changes as reason for the defeat – “I played with enough good players to win the match”, he said – and was pleased by the players’ reaction to his half-time pep talk. If there are multiple correct entries, the one submitted first will win, and if the jackpot isn’t won, it will roll over to the next round. I think he was like the team. “I expected more ambition”.
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The lead lasted just seven minutes, however, as Martin Zeman’s whipped cross found Marek Bakos to head the hosts level.
