Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino blamed his players for losing the crunch Premier League tie to arch domestic rivals Manchester United, MySportDab reports.
Chelsea were tipped to see off struggling Manchester United at Old Trafford based on their recent string of performances against big teams in the Premier League.
Unlike Manchester United who stumbled to defeats against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Newcastle United, Chelsea put up classic performances against the big boys in the lead.
The drew Liverpool, defeated Tottenham, drew Newcastle United and Arsenal, including a statement 4-4 draw with Manchester City at Etihad before wrapping up a win against Brighton despite playing with 10 men.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have been struggling with inconsistent results of recent after a dismal start.
The Red Devils put up a more promising performances in November but suffered an abject loss to Newcastle United.
Coming from the backdrop of contrasting fortunes, Chelsea were expected to carry the day but it turned out to be reverse.
Two goals from Scott McTominay was enough to see United sail to a deserved 2-1 over the Blues.
Speaking after the game, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino blamed the defeat on his players although with a touch of understanding.
Pochettino said his players were tired against a more prepared Man United team.
”It was overall a good performance from the team. Obviously, the players were fatigued and could not match United’s preparedness for the game.”
Pochettino added he is not worried about the result due to factors that were beyond the players leading to the less-than-classic performance against United.
He maintained his players struggled because they were tired having played 10 men against Brighton in the previous match, and also having a day less to prepare for the game, including the mounting injury lists that has limited his options to rotate the squad.
“We will pick up well in the next game. I am not worried with the result. You know we are struggling with injury issues and players were fatigued after playing for almost an hour against Brighton with 10 men.”
Chelsea are 10th on the Premier League table with 19 points and will hope to return to winning ways at the weekend against Everton at Goodison Park.
