Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has highlighted the difference in pre-season preparation between his side and the Borussia Dortmund team that beat the red devils 4-1.
It was United’s first match of their pre-season tour of China and their lack of match sharpness told as the German side, who had significantly more preparation going into the game, swept the reds away with two goals from Gonzalo Castro, and goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele as Mourinho’s side were left embarrassed.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan did give the reds some hope after netting his first, but unofficial, goal for the club as he scored to close the gap to 3-1, until Castro netted a superb effort late in the match.
After the defeat the United boss stated that it was difficult to judge his players after the match as they battled for fitness.
He then likened the difference in fitness levels between the two sides was like “Formula One against Formula Three.”
He explained: “Ten days of work, people are really tired, the match is against high quality opposition and in a much more advanced stage of their preparation.”
United now look to City
With competition high for places amongst the reds squad, the players will know that the tour of China could determine who starts in Mourinho’s early season fixtures and they will be keen to impress the former Chelsea boss.
With the defeat difficult to take, the United boss thought his side showed glimpses of what is to come, once they have found their match sharpness.
The reds boss continued: “In the second half we were better and more adapted to the game. I think 3-2 would be more natural than 4-1, but Dortmund showed the good quality they had, individually and collectively."
United will now attempt to shake off the defeat and look to their next match, the small matter of a Manchester derby in Beijing which will see Mourinho revive his old rivalry with new City boss Pep Guardiola.