Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was on cloud nine following a disappointing week that saw them lose three games in a row before getting some consolation in their 3-1 win over Northampton Town in their midweek League Cup fixture. And as the Red Devils walked out of the tunnel on Saturday against league defending champions Leicester City, very few fans and pundits had expected them to cruise to a 4-0 lead by half-time. Goals from Chris Smalling, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba were all the hosts needed to humiliate their opponents at Old Trafford.
The French midfielder celebrates his goal against the Foxes in front of thousands of Man Utd suppporters at Old Trafford.jpg)
Prior to this match, Mourinho was under intense pressure to steer the 20-time Premier League champions back to winning ways, while Paul Pogba was also feeling the heat after blowing cold in the club’s last three games. Speaking moments after the match, the Portuguese tactician told reporters from Sky Sports and MUTV:
“It was a very good performance. It’s much more difficult to win in such a comfortable way like we did. We felt their fragility after the second goal and we went for more and played really well. Obviously in the second half nobody was expecting to score four more goals and win 8-0 and it was all about control."
The Red Devils now sit at the 6th position on the league table with 12 points, six behind league leaders Manchester City. Jose added:
“I think we started well for the first time I can say. Normally our second-half performances are better than the first. I don’t know why as we prepare in the same way with the same professionalism. Today we had intensity, we had good movement, we were dynamic and we were strong defensively against a team that, I repeat, are easy to analyse but hard to cope with. To be back home and beat the champions is good. Last season we couldn’t beat them and this season we’ve already beaten them twice."
The English giants now face Zorya in the Europa League on September 29, before welcoming Stoke City to Old Trafford four days later. They will then face an acid test against Liverpool, Fenerbahce, Chelsea and Man City in their next four fixtures.
WATCH: Mourinho's post-match interview after Man Utd's humiliation of Leicester City
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