Watford’s Walter Mazzarri claims he has no problem with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho despite a series of disagreements in Italy.
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Tonny Vilhena powered home the victor on 79 minutes, but Nicolai Jorgensen appeared to be in an offside position as he broke down the wing before crossing to set up the only goal of the match.
Despite having the stated ambition of winning the Premier League title in his first season in charge, he has repeatedly said it will take time for his players to get used to his methods and to change their mindset after two years of risk-averse football under Van Gaal.
“Ibrahimovic is the type of player I call eternal and immortal”, Mazzarri said in his pre-match press conference.
“It is normal when you fight for top positions that it happens but I have a very good, strong relationship with him”.
“Of course I’m not happy with the start”, he told the club’s official website. I know the situation is not click your fingers and everybody is ideal.
“But, to be honest, I think we didn’t play phenomenal matches in these two defeats, but in both I think it is a punishment for the team because we deserved more than the results we got”.
There was little inspiration going forward, though. “I know they want to win, they want to work and that is what we have to do”.
“In that moment we were pushing and they capitalised because it is exactly at that moment where we lose the game”.
Mourinho also made eight changes to the starting team that was largely outclassed by City five days earlier, resting Wayne Rooney, Luke Shaw, and Antonio Valencia completely, and starting Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the bench.
“Look, I always say that the best motivation you can have is your own motivation”, Mourinho added. We didn’t have many chances against us and their goal was a clear offside – we were unfortunate with that. I think Man United has to show every game, every game, every competition.
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Ibrahimovic has scored four goals in his four Premier League matches to date, and the Hornets will have to make sure that he doesn’t continue this run against them on Sunday.
