The Foxes were defeated 2-1 by Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley but is nevertheless confident his side can cope with the burden of being the team to beat this term.
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But United manager Mourinho attempted to play down any suggestion that Mata was unhappy at being taken off by claiming that the player’s lack of height prompted his late tactical switch.
He added: “It was a hard game, we played against a good team, the champions from last season, and you can see it’s a very strong team”. I thought their right-back was Rory Delap throwing the balls 50 metres. “I could not take (Marouane) Fellaini or Ibra off, they were important for the Rory Delap throw-ins and we wanted to win the game”. Mata is the smallest one.
“I think it’s the mistake of the slow pitch”, he said on BT Sport and MUTV. “Before the match I asked for 120% and they gave me 120%”.
“So we are competing in every competition the club is in and we want to win whatever we can”.
He told manutd.com that “It feels unbelievable to win the first official game” and admitted “I’ve been here a couple of weeks and I get to win my first trophy with United”.
Mourinho dedicated the win to his predecessor Louis van Gaal, among others.
“It’s exciting times. I’m optimistic because we have a great squad and we already have our first trophy with the Community Shield and there’s a lot more to come”.
Mourinho’s men have now had their hands on the Shield 21 times, including 17 outright wins – six more than nearest challengers Liverpool.
“There’s something big going on with our team, we’re only at the beginning but it is a good start”, Ibrahimovic explained after the game.
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United, who have confirmed they are close to re-signing former player Paul Pogba from Juventus, open their Premier League campaign at Bournemouth next Sunday. “I should be okay for the next game”.
