Manchester United v Arsenal
Jose Mourinho has backtracked from his suggestion that Manchester United need a "miracle" to finish in the top four this season, but said he has had to change his target of making up the ground by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Mourinho once again goes into the crunch clash with Arsenal under plenty of pressure following United's 2-2 draw with struggling Southampton on the weekend.
"Against Southampton, three hours before the game I didn't know the team I was going to play", said Mourinho, who was forced to pick midfielders Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay in defence during the 2-2 draw at St Mary's.
"We are again going to have to make adaptations and compensations to try to give some balance to the team".
Mourinho admits that his target for December is to get as close to the top four spots and stay within touching distance as he hopes for a better showing from his team.
"I think far from a miracle, we just need to not be so unlucky with problems that we have, we need some players to perform better, and we need the team to perform better but far from a miracle".
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However Sportsmail understands Mourinho was more general in his criticism as he raged against a fall in standards and discipline from his players, saying he, as manager, wasn't the only one to blame for recent performances.
"A football player is paid - and very well paid - to be a football professional", said Mourinho. "I don't play the game of suggestions". If you say that a player plays well or bad because of how good a manager is, you are calling the player dishonest.
"I disagree totally with that question".
According to the Daily Record, United's manager said: "You don't play". You have to analyse a player by 'is he performing, yes or no?' Were they dishonest players?
Mourinho needs Pogba at his best, is this the best way to go about it?
"But then I believe we are again going to have the spirit to fight and to try to win the match". "I don't believe in that", he stated.
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