It may not be time to sound the alarms, but Manchester United’s recent loss to Watford has taken their poor form to three consecutive defeats in all competitions, thus sparking worry among the fans.
After the Manchester derby and Europa League losses, the Red Devils headed to Vicarage Road, where they were surprisingly outclassed 3-1. The result has left the 20-time champions in 7th with nine points from five games.
Speaking after the game, the Special One underlined three reasons for his boys’ losing streak. Only one, though, had to do with his own players, as he pinned number 1 and 2 on the match officials and luck, respectively.
He said (as per ESPN FC): "I can split these defeats into three factors -- one, the referee's crucial mistakes are not in my control, there is nothing I can do about that.
"But against Man City you know what happened in minute 55 [Claudio Bravo's challenge on Wayne Rooney]. You know that happened for the fist goal here and against Feyenoord there was the offside goal.
"Secondly there is [being] lucky and unlucky. It's part of the game.
"The third thing is what is my hands, which is the improvement of the team and the individuals. Try to stop with the defensive mistakes. I knew that I had a task.
"So we have to improve, no doubt, individually and collectively. And that's my job. Lady luck you don't control and referees mistakes you don't control."
When discussing the issue of defensive errors, the Portuguese tactician isolated one player in particular, admitting he blames left-back Luke Shaw for a number of goals.
"The first Man City goal and this second goal against Watford -- you can find an incredible similarity, which is [Aleksandar] Kolarov has the ball in a difficult situation in the corner and my players, instead of going up to press they decide to give space.
"And here for the second goal, [Nordin] Amrabat receives the ball and our left-back is 25 metres from him instead of five metres. But even at 25 metres, you have to jump and go and press, but no, we wait.”
The former Chelsea boss is treading on thin ice, as previous clashes with players aided in his ungraceful Stamford Bridge and Real Madrid exits.
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