Manchester United

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho expects more shocks in cup competitions

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 22 December 2017

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says that the progression of modern-day football means that more lower-league clubs will cause surprises in cup competitions.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has claimed that big clubs being defeated in cup competitions is "a beautiful thing".

Earlier this week, United succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Bristol City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, with Mourinho suggesting that the Championship side had got "lucky" at Ashton Gate.

Mourinho has maintained his stance on Wednesday's game, but while also giving praise to United's opponents, the Portuguese has suggested that he expects to see more cup surprises in the future.

The 54-year-old told reporters: "I don't make decisions based on only one game or one feeling or one night, not at all. First of all, you always like to speak about the loser, probably you should speak more about the winner, what I told after the match.

"They were lucky but they fought a lot to try to be lucky and it's one of the beautiful things that can happen in football, when a team from a lower division kills the giant.

"Football has changed so much. The lower division is more professional and that could happen even more."

United play host to second-tier side Derby County in the FA Cup third round in the first week of 2018.