Jose Mourinho Comments on Luke Shaw After Manchester United's Loss to Watford

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the attitude of his players, picking on left-back Luke Shaw in particular following Sunday's shock 3-1 defeat against Watford.

The Red Devils came undone in their trip to Vicarage Road, and Mourinho drew comparisons between that match and his side's derby defeat to Manchester City a week previous, per the Daily Mail's Adam Crafton:

"

[Aleksandar] Kolarov has the ball in a difficult situation in the corner and my player instead of going up and pressing decides to give him space. Today for the second goal, [Nordin] Amrabat on the right side, our left back is 25 metres distance from him, instead of five metres. But even at 25 metres, then you have to jump and go press. But no, we wait.

This is a tactical but also a mental attitude. In a couple of weeks, everything like this becomes perfect. That's my job.

"

Shaw wasn't the only player Mourinho felt showed weakness at the back, however, as centre-back Chris Smalling and goalkeeper David De Gea also came in for criticism:

"

It was the beginning of the game where they had good chances to score. That was disappointing. We had one with miscommunication between David de Gea and Chris Smalling - two big players, experienced players, no communication, go for some ball and there was a rebound for Ighalo. Then the other one, a cross where Deeney comes in front of Antonio Valencia.

"

United have lost three games in succession, and they are seventh in the Premier League.

However, ESPN's Alex Shaw argued it was Mourinho who was arguably deserving of the most blame and not his players:

The criticism pointed at Shaw comes just as the full-back is looking to build a head of steam in United's XI, having enjoyed a good pre-season and start to the campaign following his injury-ravaged 2015/16 term.

Mourinho was only too quick to make Shaw aware of his grievances during Sunday's match, too, as the Daily Express posted images of the manager berating his defender (via 101 Great Goals):

One thing for certain is the blame for Watford's first win over Manchester United in three decades can hardly be laid at the feet of any one player, with numerous figures to blame for their demise in north London.

Shaw may have drawn the ire of his new boss, but Mourinho was also eager to suggest some disappointment with the official, adding: "We cannot control the referee. We cannot control the lucky moments."

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Shaw is back in United's XI after featuring in just eight matches across all competitions last season, and the former Southampton star has been one of the team's more impressive performers by and large.

That being said, Shaw will surely be eager to leave an impression on Mourinho after Sunday's loss—as will many of United's star names who are struggling to meet expectations.