Manchester United played a very strong first team with many starters while Manchester City fielded a mostly reserve side in tonight’s EFL Cup Clash. The result was what you would expect, a United victory. Juan Mata provided the only scoring in the match, as the Red Devils 1-0 win was a victory for the supporters, according to United Manager Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho told BBC Sport: “The players did everything and deserved to win. We are happy.”
“In the last week, everything went against us but we are professionals. The fans felt deeply such a negative result and today was a good chance to clear that feeling because a derby knockout and to win gives everyone a better feeling.”
Of course, it’s only the EFL Cup, which doesn’t have a ton of actual meaning really. It certainly doesn’t help that the name of the competition has so many names/keeps changing its name. Usually, the real big things in life are not the same things that are constantly rebranding themselves.
Still a win over the local rivals is still a win over the local rivals for the Red Devils. And it was more needed than ever given what happened at Chelsea. United really needed to flush the taste out of that one from their mouths. As a bonus, the result keeps City winless in their last six. United fans will take that as a cherry on top of the sundae.
Mourinho said that the loss to Chelsea, and the style in which they lost played a part in his team selection today.
“Yes. We were on a good run of results, but it was a big defeat — numbers that the history of this club doesn’t deserve and, when I’m in a club, my heart belongs to the fans and I felt deeply for them,” Mourinho said in response to a question.
“The reality is that I never had people like these ones.”
“We lost 4-0 and they were supportive. Today the stadium was full of real support and it looks like the love people have for the club is bigger than bad results, bigger than three bad seasons.”
“We must give something back. The players gave everything but, even if we’d lost, the feeling was fantastic because the players showed they really care and they fought for the fans.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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