EPL: Mourinho Sent Off As United Records Worst Start In 27 Years

Diafra Sakho’s header put the visitors ahead in the 2nd minute before Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalized in the 21st minute after heading home a Pogba long pass.

The result which left the Red Devils 11 points behind leader Chelsea and without a win in four league matches at Old Trafford for the first time since 1990, represented their worst start to a Premier League season in 27 years.

Jose Mourinho was sent off in the first half for furiously kicking a water bottle on the touchline after referee Jonathan Moss gave midfielder Paul Pogba a yellow card for simulation. This was the third time in 13 months he had been sent off.

Pogba flung himself to the ground as he tried to avoid a tackle from West Ham’s midfielder Mark Noble.

The booking means the Frenchman will miss the replay against West Ham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday and his manager could not contain his frustration as he angrily kicked a water bottle.

Mourinho’s assistant, Rui Faria, who addressed the media after the game, claimed the Portuguese was right to show his anger at the referee’s decision.

“Everyone saw his frustration was shown in a situation that should be a free-kick for us and finishes with a yellow card for Paul and out of the next match [against West Ham in the EFL Cup],” Faria said.

“There is a reason to express some frustration. We were the best team on the pitch. We didn’t have any tactical issues during the game. The game was what we expected. Defensively we were very compact.

The result leaves United eight points behind Arsenal in the fourth spot to qualify for Europe’s elite competition. If they don’t make the top four this season, they will face a second season out of the Champions League and a 30 percent drop in sponsorship cash from Adidas of around $25 million.

“One day it will have to happen for us,” Faria added, “we’ll start winning.”