Following today’s clash between Huddersfield Town and Manchester United, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Huddersfield Town hosted Manchester United at the John Smith’s Stadium in the FA Cup for a 5.30pm kick off on Saturday February 17, with the visitors taking a two nil victory on the day.
Romelu Lukaku scored in the third minute to give Jose Mourinho’s side the advantage and he added a second to complete his brace 10 minutes after the half time restart.
Juan Mata had the ball in the back of the net but saw his effort ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee system.
Teams:
Huddersfield:
Lossl, Hadergjonaj (Smith 70), Jorgensen, Schindler, Kongolo (Malone 70), Billing, Williams, Quaner, Ince, van La Parra (Sabiri 84), Mounie.
Substitutes:
Whitehead, Hogg, Coleman, Depoitre.
Man Utd:
Romero, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, Carrick, Matic, Mata (Lingard 81), McTominay, Sanchez (Martial 75), R Lukaku (Bailly 90+3).
Substitutes:
Darmian, Castro Pereira, Gomes, Hamilton.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Kevin Friend blew the final whistle, Huddersfield head coach David Wagner explained.
‘Disappointing result. I think Manchester United deserved to win because they scored two goals and we did not use our opportunities. The players were brilliant, they played well. They maybe controlled the game but two times top, top quality means you have lost the game. The boys have done very, very well. I am delighted about the whole performance over 90 minutes. The players never gave up, they always tried, we wanted to press them and be in their face. Nothing really went in our favour and Manchester United showed their quality in two situations. This is another game which gives the dressing room a lift. A great performance against Manchester United and we will always be focused on our performances. We are in a very good moment, even if we lost today. Next we have West Brom and we will try everything to perform like we have today. The biggest problem for the players is they have shown the performance bar that we like to confirm every single game.’
Adding about VAR.
‘When the referee made his decision, however the decision will be I don’t like it. Yes, the decision went in our favour but this VAR for me kills the emotion of the game. This is why I don’t like it but I am not the person who makes the decision.’
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho in his comparative interview explained.
‘I prepared myself during the week to control my emotions in relation to a similar situation to the one that happened. You score a goal, you have some doubts over to celebrate or not celebrate. Are you happy or not happy? I was not happy the moment I saw Kevin Friend touching the earpiece, I knew something was going on. That doubt is not the best feeling. If the decision is right I am super happy with that if it goes against me.’
Adding.
‘I don`t know. I just heard a few comments. If the decision goes against my team but is the right decision I am very happy with that because what I want is the truth and sometimes it goes against my team and sometimes in my teams favour. But I heard comments that maybe the linesman was right and not the studio. I think it`s an experimental period. In Portugal we have it in every match. I`m quite familiar with what the VAR is bringing that`s good and bad. They have to kill the bad and make it perfect.’
