Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes his team are the ‘unluckiest team in the Premier League’. The statement comes after the Red’s conceded a last minute equaliser against Arsenal, a side who were massively overpowered for the whole game. Giroud scored in the 89th-minute to help his team extend their unbeaten run – and add misery to United’s Premier League campaign. The result stands as United’s third straight league draw at home, and another whereby the home side have dominated.
Against Stoke, United could – or rather should have been 5/6 up. But scoring just 1 goal meant it was set up for Joe Allen to slot home and capitalise on some poor finishing from United. Burnley gave United a scare close to Halloween and played out a 0-0 draw thanks to the brilliance of former United players Michael Keane and Tom Heaton – helping their side to prevent over 30 shots find the net. Arsenal was a similar story as United took the lead but failed to capitalise, the stage was set for Arsenal to capitalise and did so. United certainly dominated, and Mourinho will be kicking himself that he didn’t take all 3 points and earn a ‘statement win’ against a big side.
“We were the best team by far,” he told Sky Sports. “I don’t want to say they didn’t want to win, I prefer to say they had no chances to win. They could not be Arsenal the way they normally play. We were phenomenal from a defensive point of view. The way we pressed, the way we were very strong, the way we controlled their counter attacks, the way we controlled their best players. We were phenomenal.”
“I am really happy with the team, but at the moment I consider us the unluckiest team in the Premier League because it is the reality. If you analyse the last three matches. Against Stoke we have to win 5-0 or 6-0 and we draw. Against Burnley we have to win 5-0 or 6-0 and we draw and today we have to win 2-0 or 3-0 and we draw.”
“We are the unluckiest team but the team is playing well, the players are working really well.”
United had a big shout for a penalty when Antonio Valencia was brought down by full-back Nacho Monreal, the referee saw nothing of the challenge and Mourinho was tight lipped after the game despite showing clear frustrations at the time of the decision.
“I have a very good feeling with Andre Marriner, he is the kind of referee that if he makes mistakes against my team, I know there is no intention.He wants to be an honest man and a good referee. If it was a mistake I don’t want to say yes or no.”
[All quotes via Sky Sports]