Jose Mourinho Talks Liverpool, Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic After Draw

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has accused the media of talking up Liverpool in the wake of the teams’ 0-0 draw on Monday, insisting Jurgen Klopp’s side are not the “last wonder of the world.” 

Despite plenty of hype pre-match, the two rivals played out an attritional affair on the night at Anfield, with chances at a premium for both.

Afterwards, when speaking to Sky Sports, the Portuguese suggested his side controlled the clash and some outlets had gone a little overboard in their praise for the Reds, per Arindam Rej of ESPN FC:

"

They are not the last wonder of the world, like you like to say they are, but they are a very good team.

It was more difficult for them than it was for us. We kept control of the game for long periods. In the first half, we were completely in control. In the second half, David De Gea made two great saves but it was out of context.

We controlled very well the emotion of the game and ourselves and also we could influence the atmosphere of the stadium. They were always showing their disappointment. I thought they were waiting for an easy match for them but it wasn’t.

"

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There was a sense heading into the game that United may not be able to live with the vibrant hosts, who have been in tremendous form so far this term.

Liverpool have already beaten Arsenal, Chelsea and Leicester City, scoring goals freely and smothering sides with their intense style of football. Mourinho, a proven canny manager, set his side up to nullify that threat, and for long spells in the match it left the Reds looking toothless in their forward forays.

Sports journalist Glenn Moore wasn’t overly impressed with the efforts of either side, putting this massive match into context:

The tactics Mourinho employed are always a point of discussion in these big games, with his team happy to give up the ball. According to Opta (h/t Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports), the Red Devils’ 35 per cent share of possession in this game is the lowest recorded in a league game since the statistic was quantified in 2003-04.

Nevertheless, Mourinho didn't mind surrendering the ball. “We didn’t want to control the game by having the ball all the time,” the Portuguese told Sky Sports (h/t the United website). “We know that they want to press our first phase and we know that the transition when they lose the ball is really strong and high.”

Fox Sports’ Keith Costigan is not convinced by the logic behind the tactic, though:

While Liverpool controlled the ball for much of the match, the most clear-cut chance in the game fell to United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. After a pinpoint delivery from Paul Pogba, the veteran had a free header at goal, but he couldn’t test Reds goalkeeper Loris Karius.

Mourinho believed if that had gone in, the game would have been over. “We had a big chance where I thought Zlatan was going to score; if you score that goal, it’s 1-0, goodbye, finished,” he told Sky Sports (h/t the United website).

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Ultimately, the United boss will be content with the effort of his players on Monday. No side has been able to shut down Liverpool quite so well this season, and the Red Devils did brilliantly to cultivate an edgy atmosphere at Anfield.

United will be expected to be more expansive in these types of matches in the future. But this early version of the Red Devils under Mourinho taking a point from a previously rampant rival is a positive step in the team’s development.