Why It's All About How United React

Reacting positively to adversity has always been a prerequisite for any team challenging for trophies and Manchester United are no different.

Manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Ander Herrera both offered no excuses for the disappointing defeat at Huddersfield Town. Yes, there is a long injury list, added to when Phil Jones limped off with the score still at 0-0, and a Champions League trip to Lisbon that necessitated a return in the wee small hours of Thursday morning. Plus the horrible weather in west Yorkshire.

Yet the simple fact of the matter was United deserved to lose our first game of the season because of what happened out on the pitch. It happens, the manager even talked about it in his pre-match press conference this week.

"If you have criticism for not losing, I can imagine, because we are going to lose - that's obvious that we are going to lose matches - that we are going to have even more criticism than we have now. But, honestly, it's no problem."

No matter how upsetting the manner of the loss is, there is no time to dwell on our most disappointing 90 minutes of what has been an excellent campaign thus far. Without doubt, much will be made of the result, particularly with Manchester City extending their lead at the top of the table.

However, for all the plaudits going the way of our neighbours at present, league titles are not won in October. That is why it is vital United regroup and come back fighting, starting in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but particularly in Saturday's showdown with in-form Tottenham Hotspur.

The Londoners will provide a stern test at Old Trafford but, with the fans right behind the Reds in the early kick-off, a victory would get us very much back on track. While it is important City do not establish too commanding a lead in the table, let us not forget that so much can change in a short space of time and a quick glance at December's hectic schedule provides possible evidence of that.

Huddersfield, in front of United legends Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson, revelled in the occasion and fair play to them. Here's hoping they can put on a similar performance at Liverpool next weekend, even if a better chance of upsetting the Merseysiders as well could probably come at the John Smith's Stadium.

For United, it's about making sure this display was a blip because we have already shown this season that we are fully capable of competing for the top honours at home and abroad. No time for moping or over-reacting, it's about putting things right in the next seven days.

The opinions in this story are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United Football Club.

Credit: Manutd.com