Mourinho's Verdict On Swansea Draw

Jose Mourinho admits that Manchester United's busy schedule played an important role in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Swansea.

The Reds were forced to settle for a point on a disappointing afternoon at Old Trafford, as Wayne Rooney's penalty was cancelled out by a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick during the second half. 

After the game, Mourinho gave his reaction to MUTV and BT Sport. Here's what the boss had to say...

FATIGUE PLAYED A PART
“It’s not that we looked tired, we are tired. If some people want to analyse the performance itself, that’s one thing, but you cannot do that, you can’t analyse the performance out of context. The context is nine matches in April, this is the ninth match in April with a squad of 22 that has now been reduced. The players are very, very, very tired. So, I don’t isolate the performance from the context. Did Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard look sharper than other people? Of course they did, they didn’t play the last match. We are in a very difficult situation but the boys gave absolutely everything, so I am more than happy and pleased with them. I am intelligent and experienced enough not to isolate the performance from the context, and to say they’re brave guys, they gave everything they could once more. On Thursday [at Celta Vigo], we’ll go again."

PLAYERS GAVE EVERYTHING
“Swansea were in the game but scored when they were less in the game. In the first half, they were really in good control and were playing close to our box, having a few opportunities. The second half was under our control; the Rooney and Martial situation [a clear chance for United] is totally incredible. We were totally in control and then conceded a goal from a free-kick where you have to be a bit more experienced to avoid it. Again, tired people were trying absolutely everything, so if people want to be critical of the performance they are free to do it but, I’m not, I’m happy. 
“The players gave everything and deserve everything. You cannot isolate the performance from the context and that is nine matches in April, the last match a derby on Thursday evening and now a match on Sunday at 12 o’clock. I’m not happy with the result, but I’m very happy with the boys.

CELTA VIGO
"For me, the next game is always a big game. We go with everything we have; obviously I was joking when I said I was training to play on Thursday, but it doesn’t matter who plays. They give everything, so I always trust them.

"We give everything. When you give everything, you can’t do any more, so for sure we’re going to give everything. With one more day to rest than from Thursday night to Sunday morning, we have one day more. It’s a little bit more human, if you can say that, and for sure we’re going to give everything. It doesn’t matter about the result or if we go to the final or not, I’m really happy with the personality and character of these guys.”