Jose Mourinho is edging closer to his first trophy with Manchester United after the Red Devils beat Hull City 2-0 in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg.
Goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini sealed a productive night at Old Trafford, though the tie had a slightly underwhelming feeling about it.
United fans may have been more looking forward to welcoming Liverpool on Sunday, but Mourinho was not best pleased with the lack of atmosphere despite him putting out a reasonably strong starting XI, with a surprise inclusion for David de Gea.
“I think in the first half the players have to do better, I have to do better, the fans – they also have to do better,” he told reporters.
“Maybe I didn’t do my job well – maybe I should have brought more tension to the dynamic to prepare the game. The players have to improve, I have to improve, the fans, I’m sorry, have to improve.
“We are responsible for fans’ participation in the game. If we play very well, enthusiastically the fans – they come to the pitch to play with us. We have amazing fans, what I feel is Sunday is a special match for us – special match for the Man United fans.
“So my invitation is don’t come to the theatre, come to play, play with us.”
There should be no such concerns for the derby with Liverpool, particularly as United will desperately want to put a spanner in the Reds’ aim to win their first title in 27 years.
Mourinho should be able to welcome Zlatan Ibrahimovic back for that game, with the Swede having been rested against Hull as he was suffering from a bout of illness.
However, it’s unclear whether Marcos Rojo will have recovered from a muscle strain in time for Sunday, as per the Guardian.
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