Football: Mourinho defends side's approach after former stars condemn European exit

Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho. Photo / AP

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho will not question the attitude of his side after they were knocked out of the Champions League following a 2-1 defeat by Sevilla at Old Trafford yesterday.

Former United stars Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scoles criticised the attitude of Mourinho's team after their exit from Europe's elite club competition.

"They just played nervous and cautious from the beginning," ex-United skipper Ferdinand said.

"In these games you've got to take the game by the scruff of the neck. That takes personality. It takes characters to do that in this stadium. The attitude just seemed off, lethargic."

Former midfielder and multiple ECL winner Scholes was also critical.

"They approach every game conservatively. Some they get away with, because they get a win. Tonight they had nothing — no energy."

Mourinho defended his players.

"We tried since the first minute to be aggressive and intense. We had good periods. I wouldn't say we had great control of the game but I couldn't say my players had something wrong in terms of their attitude and their intention to play."

- PA