Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says his team are ‘the unluckiest in the Premier League’ after Arsenal draw
Special One was seething on the touchline after Antonio Valencia was bundled over by Nacho Monreal but regained his composure
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho has described his team as "the unluckiest in the Premier League".
The Portuguese boss was left fuming when United were denied a penalty in the 1-1 draw Arsenal after Nacho Monreal appeared to tug down Antonio Valencia in the box.
The Red Devils full-back megged the Gunner’s defender before looking to be brought down by his arm.
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Referee Andre Marriner waved away calls for a spot-kick in the 35th-minute flashpoint – despite protestations from a livid Jose Mourinho.
But, speaking after the game, the Special One decided against one of his famous rants and refused to attack the official.
He said: "I don't want to speak about it. I have a very good feeling with Andre Mariner.
"He is the kind of referee who if he make mistakes against my team there is no intention. He doesn't want to be the star of the game, he is a good referee.
"I don't want to say if it is a mistake or not, I know because I saw the video, but I don't want to say because he is a good referee."
Mourinho could not believe his side failed to turn their dominance into three vital points.
He added: "Of course it is two points dropped. We were the best team by far. They had no chances to win. They could not be Arsenal the way they normally play football. We were phenomenal defensively.
"The way we pressed and the way we controlled their counter attacks. Then when we had the ball we were very comfortable.
"We scored a fantastic goal, we had chances to win the game and then the only time they go there and the only time we had a situation we could not resolve they scored. They are the lucky ones and we are the unlucky ones.
"The team played very well. This team at the moment is the unluckiest team in the Premier League. That is the reality. The team is playing well.
"Phil Jones played more matches this season than the past three seasons I think. I don't remember him playing two matches consecutively and big matches.
"I am happy with the work and the guys and I am super happy with the fans. They are amazing. They know to be fair and applaud a team that has dropped two points."
On the penalty, Gary Neville was in no doubt it should have been given.
“A little bit rugby tackle-ish but it’s not enough to bring him over. He’s strong as an ox and he falls to the ground in the end.
“But there’s no doubt he did put his arm out to Valencia. It’s a question of intent. I wasn’t comfortable with it.”
Jamie Redknapp added: “It didn’t look a penalty to me. Monreal panicked. I think it would have been a penalty is Sir Alex Ferguson was manager!”
Thierry Henry said: “I think Valencia is trying to buy a foul and he didn’t get it. It was the right call.”
In his post match interview, goalscorer Juan Mata refused to say whether he thought it was a penalty, adding that he "didn't know", and that all he saw was Valencia "falling onto the grass".
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