EPL 2016-17: Some Manchester United players are unable to cope with the pressure, claims Jose Mourinho

José Mourinho admitted that some of his players are failing to cope with the massive pressure of playing for Manchester United. The former Chelsea manager also pointed to the mistakes and how they need to learn from those defensive errors after his side succumbed to a third successive defeat against Watford.

The Portuguese reflected on the way United’s fortunes have changed since winning their first four fixtures under him. Mourinho claimed he always realised there were always issues to address in, particularly in defence, where he explained there was a tactical as well as a mental problem with the way his players are reacting to the opposition’s offence.

The Guardian reported him saying, “I was completely aware that we were not the perfect team, that we had lots of players who are not end products and can make their own mistakes.”

“My only doubt was the way they can cope with the negative moments that come sooner or later. I feel that some individuals probably feel too much pressure and that responsibility.”

“But from a collective point of view, I only have good things to say about them. If you analyse our three defeats in the last week, we were always the best team in the second half. We didn’t start well today but then in the second half the players showed quality, intensity, desire, commitment and ambition. And we lost again in our best moment.”

José Mourinho criticises refereeing- decisions once againThe Portuguese once again had the match officials to blame and stressed upon bad refereeing as main reasons for Manchester United’s 3-1 loss at Watford. After surrendering to bad luck as another factor in the Watford defeat, Mourinho declared it was the defensive mistakes from his own players which led to Watford's second goal.

Mourinho added, "Their second goal is a mistake. It's a mistake that goes against our plan and against our training because our intention was for the wing-backs to be pressed and not let them progress.

"But what happens is that their guy gets the ball 25 metres away from our box and we gave him the space. This is a tactical but also a mental attitude. It's something that doesn't become perfect in a couple of weeks. So we have to improve, no doubt, individually and collectively. And that's my job.

Mourinho’s side are now six points behind Guardiola’s city after five matches. A good start to the season has now come to a stuttering display of defensive mismanagement. This is the first time the Portuguese has lost three games in a row as a manager since August 2006.