Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said that his side could have done with a few more ‘mad dogs’ against Southampton on Saturday.
United came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 and ultimately rescue a point from St. Mary’s but more aggression in defence and better decision making in midfield were the two areas that Mourinho highlighted as elements where his side could have done better.
“I hope this is not taken the wrong way, but we needed more mad dogs,” Mourinho told BT Sport after the game.
“At the time we don’t have many people with that spirit so nothing to do with the system. I think Scott [McTominay] and [Nemanja] Matic did a good job for two midfield players and Phil Jones led that group of three in a way where we were totally in control.
“The only problem we had was that the two attacking players [Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku] did not have enough continuity because in the midfield we lost too many balls.”
"We lost so many balls in midfield."
"Simplicity is genius, and they keep going to complicated football."
Jose Mourinho is frustrated with his side wasting possession in the middle, but praises the 'respect' shown for the shirt in their comeback.
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Mourinho added that United also needed to show more positive ambition in midfield but that losing too many balls in this area ultimately hampered their attack.
“Choices,” added Mourinho.
“Choices when they have the ball. I think in relation to the first goal the block is low but what we needed to improve in this game was positivity in midfield. Play one touch, two touches, make it simple, make the ball alive and faster to the two attacking players.
“I think by not losing as many balls in the midfield that we broke that dynamic that normally leads to goals.”
