Jose Mourinho has lashed his player following a barren draw with Crystal palace on Saturdays. The Red Devils were lucky to grab a draw in the game after a mediocre display against the Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Manchester United sit 14 points behind local neighbors and league leaders Manchester City in the league standings.
Mourinho had anticipated a response from the Manchester club following a humiliating outing at the Etihad stadium in their last game, but could not hide his frustration at the end of the game against Crystal Palace.
“Not enough intensity, not enough desire,” the United boss said.
“So, I think we played a game like ‘one more game’ and I don’t think the game is ‘one more game’. I think it is a game we really need to win.
“If we played with the same philosophy against Young Boys (in the Champions League on Tuesday) then we don’t win and then we have to go to Valencia to win the game in Valencia.
“So, there are matches that are special matches and that not just one more – and this one was not just one more.
“It was the first of eight Premier League games until the end of December and was a game we need to win, and my feeling is that there was not enough from the heart.
“You must play with brain, we must play also with heart and I think (there was) not enough heart.”
The Portuguese tactician did not mention names but the quality of Rashford, Lingard, Martial and Luke Shaw was called to question. The former Chelsea trainer went on to explain that some players will not feel the backlash of the result.
“There are people that will have a bad dinner (this evening),” the Portuguese said.
“There is people that will enjoy a nice dinner and there will even be people that maybe will party. I think that’s the way it is.”
Put to Mourinho that it is surely the bare minimum to play with heart, Mourinho said: “I agree, I agree.
“What’s the solution? You cannot change players’ natures dramatically.
“The solution is that probably I have to make certain choices based on heart, and then probably I will blame myself because I will think heart is not enough and I am missing here some quality.”