Butt: Manchester United players' lack of confidence affecting results

Manchester United coach Nicky Butt has praised Jose Mourinho for his consistent team selections but thinks their defeat in the Manchester derby was due to a lack of confidence in the squad.

United had won three games in a row before the 3-1 loss to City on Sunday, but the result at the Etihad leaves them in eighth in the Premier League table, 12 points behind the champions.

Mourinho's side face two of the league's bottom five teams - Crystal Palace and Southampton - next, either side of a Champions League tie against Young Boys, and Butt says United need to use the fixtures to regain some momentum.

"I think it's difficult when you have got players that aren't in form," said Butt."It doesn't matter who you are or what team you manage, if the players are not on a high or confident they are not going to win too many games.

"At United at the minute, players are low on confidence. They came up against the probably the best team in Europe [Manchester City] and got beaten.

"They are steadily improving. The manager has recognised that and they are getting some consistency in the team.

"The injury to Pogba can kill any team. They are not getting all the luck but that City game is gone now and hopefully they can push on to Christmas and get into a position where they are challenging in the top four."

Butt, who is head of coaching at United's youth academy, was talking to Sky Sports News at the International Player Care Conference, which brings together coaches, scouts, agents, medical staff, and a range of sports administrators to try and improve the experiences of athletes.

"It's a massive thing now in modern day football," said Butt. "If you are not looked after the right way you can go into a place where you become babysitters for them.

"But, in general, most are going the right way and you can help them become model citizens and help them learn the right things in life.

"When they are down, injured or have mental issues that need helping, it is not always possible for coaches to pick up on everything.

"Modern day football, with all the social media and the limelight they are in, it is massive. Everywhere you turn there is someone saying something about you."

Credit: Skysports.com