Mourinho blames derby defeat on Clattenburg

Jose Mourinho believes that Manchester United were denied two penalties against Manchester City.

Mourinho slipped to his first ;defeat as United manager on Saturday as City beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho handed a dominant City side a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back ahead of half-time.

United could not force an equaliser however, but Mourinho believes they were denied two penalties by referee Mark Clattenburg.

Claudio Bravo first escaped censure for a controversial tackle on Wayne Rooney when he was caught in possession, before a Wayne Rooney cross hit Nicolas Otamendi on the elbow.

After the game, Mourinho spoke of his “disappointment” in the refereeing decision to Sky Sports.

“We are disappointed with the result, but we are disappointed with two decisions from Mark,” he said.

“It was a penalty and a red card for Bravo. Even outside the box it’s a free-kick and a red card. The second one was also a penalty. Otamendi was a penalty. You can tell me he has no intention, but he has intention. The arm is behind his body; he knows that the cross is not going in his face.

“So that’s two penalties against us. Even the best can have not the best days.”

“Is it their fault? Is it my fault? It’s my fault because it’s my choice.” Jose accepts the blame. Kind of.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now