Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United: 4 errors from Jose Mourinho that cost United the game

#2 Team Selection

Manchester United Press Conference

The Portuguese will have to admit that he got the team selection wrong. Keeping Juan Mata on the bench was a big mistake and starting with Lukaku leading the line killed every United counter before it could even start.

Against a team that plays an intense, attacking football, Manchester United knew that the chances would be few and far between and as such, they had to make most of the few chances that they would be getting. However, Mourinho opted to leave two of the best passers of his team on the bench, thus already crippling United before the start of the game.

Pogba's absence was a perhaps a little understandable, with the Frenchman doing nothing in midweek or in recent times to warrant an automatic starting spot. However, as the game unfolded, it was clear that United had nobody to make those passes, and to carry the ball forward. Mata would have been a fine addition to this team, perhaps as a No. 10 or as the right winger and his exquisite passing would have made the difference in the final third.

In attack, perhaps, Lukaku's presence harmed United more than it benefited them, even though the Belgian was responsible for carving out the equalizer. Mourinho would have been better advised to start Mata in place of Lukaku, using the Spaniard as a No. 10 and using Rashford and Lingard as the floating strikers.