Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admits title race is 'over' after narrow loss to rivals City as icon Gary Neville says 'the 70,000 home support knew the better team won'

  • Jose Mourinho said his Manchester United side cannot win the Premier League
  • Mourinho admitted the title race is over after United's 2-1 defeat by rivals City
  • The victory at Old Trafford put Pep Guardiola's men 11 points in front of United
  • Gary Neville said 'the 70,000 United fans left knowing City were the better team'

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has given up hope of winning the Premier League title following his side's narrow defeat by arch-rivals City at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

Two goals, that had their whit of fortune, from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi was enough to win the Manchester derby after Marcus Rashford had levelled for the hosts.

The victory saw Pep Guardiola's men extend their lead over United at the top of the table to 11 points after just 16 games and Mourinho has conceded the gap is now too big to overcome.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted the Premier League title race is over

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted the Premier League title race is over


Asked whether the title race is over, Mourinho snapped: 'Probably, yes'.

But though he was quick to dismiss his side's chances of claiming their first league title since the 2012-13 season, he was equally as quick to shed some light on why rivals City are doing so well.

'Manchester City are a very good team,' he said. 

The Portuguese tactician also claimed that City have the 'gods of football behind them'

The Portuguese tactician also claimed that City have the 'gods of football behind them'

'But they are protected by the luck, and the gods of football are behind them.

'They scored two goals which were quite unbelievable to concede. They scored two goals out of nothing with rebounds. Two easy goals. 

'I think they are a very good team, [but] they are lucky, they have decisions in their favour.

City midfielder David Silva reacted quickest to give the visitors the lead at Old Trafford

City midfielder David Silva reacted quickest to give the visitors the lead at Old Trafford

Nicolas Otamendi showed striker's instinct to pounce on a loose ball and tuck home the winner

Nicolas Otamendi showed striker's instinct to pounce on a loose ball and tuck home the winner

'I'm pretty sure everyone is going to fight for points and try and reduce the distance, but the advantage is a very good one.'

Former United legend Gary Neville saw it very differently and praised City for how they came to their rivals backyard and dominated the match.

'To come here and show the authority like they have fifteen months since a team has come here and won, you are talking about a Barcelona or a Real Madrid,' Neville told Sky Sports.

'The 70,000 United fans walked out of there today knowing the best team won.'

United will have to regroup and go again but they won't have any time to let their derby day woes sink in as Mourinho's men have a quick turnaround with the visit of Bournemouth in just three days' time.