Jose Mourinho has laid down the gauntlet to Manchester United critics in the wake of the pulsating 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League at Old Trafford today.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s late leveller earned United a point against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, who led through James Milner’s spot-kick on 27 minutes after Paul Pogba handled in the box and gave away a penalty.
United coped reasonably well with Liverpool’s counter-attacking ploy and as the game wore on, Mourinho opted to employ long-ball tactics in a bid to salvage a point.
And his tactics paid off late on when Ibrahimovic headed home from Antonio Valencia’s cross into a crowded Liverpool box. It was the big Swedish striker’s 14th goal in 20 Premier League games since joining last summer.
A draw was about right but it did mean that United’s nine-match winning run in all competitions was stopped. And Mourinho’s challenge to those who would deny United the credit they are due came when he answered questions from reporters.
He said:
“I didn’t think that the game had super quality. We didn’t reflect the qualities we have and Liverpool have. But it was very emotional, intense, aggressive. We fought until the last second.”
“Liverpool were clever. They took their time, they know how to play football and control the emotions of the game. They knew they would be in trouble in the final few minutes.”
“We were the team that attacked and Liverpool were the team that defended — let’s see if the critics are fair. I enjoyed it but I will obviously be disappointed we didn’t get the three points.”
The result leaves United in fifth position in the Premier League, just two points off rivals Manchester City — who are fourth with a two-point advantage.