Mauricio Pochettino blames Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat against Man United on his players being tired but admits ‘that is not an excuse’
Mauricio Pochettino attributed Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United to player fatigue but emphasized it’s not an excuse for failing to match the Red Devils’ energy and aggression.
Despite Scott McTominay’s two goals securing victory for United at Old Trafford, Cole Palmer’s first-half goal provided a glimmer of hope for the visitors.
In his post-match press conference, Pochettino expressed lack of concern about the defeat, citing multiple circumstances affecting the team’s performance.
Chelsea has grappled with an extensive injury list and key players serving suspensions, including Conor Gallagher, who missed the game due to a red card in the previous match against Brighton.
Pochettino highlighted the impact of playing with 10 men against Brighton and the quick turnaround for the trip to Manchester, potentially draining the team’s energy levels.
Despite acknowledging the challenges, he stressed it’s not an excuse and credited Manchester United for their superiority.
The Blues currently face an injury crisis with players like Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Trevoh Chalobah, and Ben Chilwell sidelined.
Pochettino acknowledged the reality but shifted focus to Manchester United, noting their extra day of preparation and the presence of young players on Chelsea’s bench.
While Pochettino expressed satisfaction with Chelsea’s effort, he acknowledged the team fell short in matching United’s energy and aggressiveness.
He mentioned creating chances but highlighted the need to recover players, increase competitiveness, and stay focused for upcoming matches.
Manchester United, under the management of Erik ten Hag, faced media scrutiny this week after banning several journalists from a press conference.
Ten Hag, reflecting on the match, enjoyed watching his team dominate and expressed confidence in the ongoing process.
He emphasized the team’s calmness amid criticism, the commitment to improvement, and the recognition that there’s room for progress in the season.
