The cynic might claim that United’s best performer was Northampton goalkeeper Adam Smith, who lived up to club’s nickname by producing a performance that was complete Cobblers.
Advertisement
Mourinho felt that his team should have won the match more easily and said that Northampton should have been down to 10 men as Jak McCourt’s brash challenge on Memphis Depay was overlooked by the referee.
United have lost back-to-back top-flight games following a 2-1 defeat by derby rivals Manchester City earlier this month, with their 1-0 loss to Feyenoord in the Europa League sandwiched between their Premier League defeats.
Michael Carrick – making his first appearance since the Community Shield – had given United the lead with a delicious strike, although Mourinho was subdued in his praise for the 35-year-old. The subs [Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic] were just a contribution. “The game could and should have been easier”.
“They (Northampton) fought, they played with their strength and they tried to create us problems, which they did sometimes”.
“The second half we controlled the game completely and we are very happy”.
“Teams from lower divisions, when they reach this level of the competition and they get the big boys, it’s a great occasion. I swapped [Marouane] Fellaini with [Morgan] Schneiderlin and I think the performance was fine”. Rooney missed a good early chance and finished the game on the right wing after Ibrahimovic and Rashford were thrown on by Mourinho, with United drawing 1-1 at that stage. “We’re all in it together”.
The Guardian added that Mourinho’s methods are seen as similar to those of former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who enjoyed so much success at Old Trafford, winning numerous trophies including 13 Premier League titles.
“After a awful week we can now face Leicester in a better way”.
Advertisement
Shaw is not expected to play in tonight’s EFL Cup Clash against Northampton due to what’s being reported as a minor groin tear.
