Jose Mourinho Bemoans United's Lack of Game-Changing Subs in 0-0 Draw With Liverpool
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho pointed to a lack of game-changing substitutes as the reason for his side's poor attacking display at Anfield on Saturday during a forgettable 0-0 with Liverpool.
The Portuguese Gaffer told Manchester United's official website: "I had no-one on the bench to change the direction of the game. I thought they were afraid of our counter attack.
"I just tried to improve in attacking areas where I could surprise them, but they kept a strong organisation in midfield. A point, in this long marathon? A point at Anfield is OK".
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Jose did praise Liverpool's performance, but singled out the fatigue of Nemanja Matic as a crucial factor in the game:
"The opposition was good today, but we played our game. In the first half, we had a couple of very good chances and good control of the game. In the second half, Matic tired and I had no solutions on the bench.
"I tried with my substitutions to make us more dynamic in attack but, in reality, we lost power and energy and control in midfield."
While many who watched the contest pointed to Mourinho's tactics creating a dull encounter, the two-time Champions League winner appears to push responsibility onto Jurgen Klopp: "I think they were very good team from a defensive point of view, much pressing.
"The only chance I had to change the direction of the game was to bring players on with speed and maybe, they are going to change their formation but they didn’t. The second half was like a game of chess but my opponent didn’t open the door for me to win the game."
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Finally, Jose Mourinho pointed to Liverpool's dominance in midfield for the lack of attacking intent shown by his Manchester United side:
“We came for three points but in the second half we felt it difficult to do that with the match and the dynamic it had. I was waiting for Jurgen to change to go more attacking but he kept the three strong midfield players all the time and he had control. I had only Herrera and Matic."
While Manchester United retained their unbeaten start to the season during the 0-0 draw with Liverpool, the Red Devils lost ground in the Premier League title race as Manchester City beat Watford 7-2 to gain a two-point lead at the top of the table.
