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Jose Mourinho pleased with Manchester United's response against Bournemouth

Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal on Wednesday as United got back to winning ways after their damaging, demoralising and controversial defeat to their arch-rivals on Sunday

Thursday 14 December 2017 09:01 GMT
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Jose Mourinho was pleased with his side's response
Jose Mourinho was pleased with his side's response

Jose Mourinho was pleased with Manchester United's response to their derby loss as they overcame Bournemouth 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal on Wednesday as United got back to winning ways after their damaging, demoralising and controversial defeat to arch-rivals and Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

United boss Mourinho said of his players: "I think (they had a) very good attitude, very good determination to win.

"I think every team, after a defeat, tries not to have a second defeat and that was in the back of their minds when they were playing. They wanted to win the match and I could see that from minute one to the last second."

On the whole, however, it was a subdued performance from United and Bournemouth tested the hosts. David de Gea produced a string of good saves in the first half and also denied Jermain Defoe an equaliser late on.

Mourinho said: "They came into the game strong, fresher than us, one more day to rest. Then Eddie (Howe) had two good strikers to bring into the game in the last 15 mins in Jermain and (Benik) Afobe and when we don't score that second goal that kills the game, they had the hope, courage and quality to give us a difficult 15 minutes."

United were again without defender Eric Bailly, who has been out since early November with an unspecified injury.

Mourinho was unwilling to give details about the Ivory Coast international's problem when asked after the game but admitted he could be facing a long lay-off.

Lukaku headed home the only goal of the game 

"I think it's serious. We are trying a conservative treatment but if the conservative treatment is not resulting (in recovery), he will probably have a surgery procedure. But let's wait a little bit more."

Asked if it could prove a season-ending injury, Mourinho said: "I don't want to be so pessimistic."

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