Jose Mourinho: It’s good that Chelsea won’t face Manchester United again this season

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho praised the spirit shown by Manchester United in their 3-1 Premier League defeat to his Chelsea side on Sunday, admitting that David Moyes’s side did not deserve to be two goals down at half time. Whilst he does not believe that they will win the title this season, Mourinho backed United to secure a top four place and believes that they will get “better and better” and “become the big team they are.”

“[It was] a very difficult match, a match where it is hard for them to be losing 2-0 at half time, because I think they started better than us,” said the Chelsea boss.

“They were stronger than us in the beginning. We scored the first goal, without controlling the game. The second goal is too hard for them too.”

“In the second half we start better and had control of the game for long periods until the moment where the team – maybe because of fatigue, maybe because of the comfortable advantage – start being too back and the block was too low, and Man United have the ball and some spirit and initiative.

“With their goal, football is football and the goal was open.”

[It is] three important points, obviously, because it opens a little gap between us and Man United and Liverpool and we are there in contact with Arsenal and Man City.”

“I think United had a good game, especially in the first half, and the typical spirit, that’s part of their game. Losing 3-0 it’s not easy to have that spirit, so I imagine that they will be better and better and will become the big team they are.”

However, Mourinho did admit that he cannot see United putting up a challenge for the title this season, saying that while it is feasible for one of the league’s leaders to collapse it is unlikely that all three will. He said that their challenge now is to fight for a Champions League place, but backed them to be successful in that challenge.

“Man United is Man United”, he said when asked if they were out of the title. “Mathematically it’s possible but I think it’s hard.”

“It’s 14 [points to] Arsenal but it’s also 13 points to Manchester City and 12 points to us. Maybe one team collapses, but for three teams to collapse and lose so many points I think is difficult, so for them I think the fight to finish top four – which I think they can do – but the title is difficult. “

“With their pride and that tradition, they will give a fight.

“Hopefully they will win against the other contenders because now we don’t play them in the league and it is good for us that we don’t play them again this season.”