Why Mourinho was not bothered about losing to Arsenal – Neville

Former Manchester United defender, Phil Neville, has said that manager Jose Mourinho, did not care about their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

Granit Xhaka and Danny Welbeck scored for Arsene Wenger’s side, ending United’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four.

Neville believes Mourinho smiling and laughing during post-match interviews, showed that his focus was probably on next Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Celta Vigo at Old Trafford.

“It was a match between the teams in fifth and sixth place in the Premier League but it felt more like it was ninth versus 10th, in one of those dead rubbers you get at the end of the season,” Neville told BBC Sport.

“Yes, Arsenal won, to end United’s long unbeaten run, but nobody really cared – including United manager Jose Mourinho.

“It was the first time Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has beaten him in a competitive game, at the 16th attempt and after 13 years of trying. But watching Mourinho afterwards, it was probably the first time in about six months that I have seen him relaxed and smiling.

“It was a game that was clearly a nuisance for him, sandwiched between the two legs of United’s Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo that he has made it obvious is his priority.

“So, for United, Sunday was just a case of survival – to get off that pitch without getting any more injuries – or at least that was how it looked.”

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