Jose Mourinho cost Man Utd title chance with huge decision earlier in the season – Keown

MARTIN KEOWN has claimed Jose Mourinho’s negatives tactics in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool earlier in the season was the catalyst for their downfall in the race for the Premier League title.
Heading into the match at Anfield, Manchester United were level on points with City at the top of the table.

Liverpool had won just one of their previous seven matches in all competitions while Mourinho’s side had won nine of their opening 10 matches and scored four goals in six of those games.

But the United boss opted to deploy defensive tactics against Liverpool and frustrated Jurgen Klopp’s team in a goalless draw.

They then went on to lose against Huddersfield the following week as they dropped further adrift of City.




United are now 15 points behind Manchester City with Pep Guardiola’s having won 18 consecutive matches in the league.
And Arsenal legend Keown has put the blame solely at Mourinho for United’s failure to keep tabs on their rivals.

“Manchester United’s problems this season stem from their 0-0 draw with Liverpool in October,” Keown told the Daily Mail.

“Then, United were flying. They were a juggernaut at full speed. All of a sudden, Mourinho pulled up the handbrake.

“At that point Liverpool were very vulnerable but Mourinho seemed happy to settle for a draw.
“It meant that in the next game, against Huddersfield, the United players were confused and lost 2-1.

“Some of what Mourinho says is petulant and there is a danger that the players can become a reflection of their manager.

“Now, he seems to be watching from the bench in a disdainful manner. At Chelsea, Mourinho lost the players. It is crucial that he does not lose belief in his squad now.”

Source:www.express.co.uk