Mourinho Blames ‘Smart’ Aguero For Fellaini’s Sending Off
Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has accused Sergio Aguero of deliberately getting midfielder Marouane Fellaini sent off during the Manchester derby on Thursday night.
Fellaini was sent off in the 85th minute after appearing to head-butt Aguero in the goalless draw between City and United at the Etihad Stadium.
The Belgian was booked for a clumsy challenge on Aguero and less than a minute later he found he Argentine again, and lost his cool afterwards as he headbutted Aguero and referee Martin Atkinson showed a straight red card.
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Mourinho said: “I don’t know because I didn’t watch. I have just three details.
“Marouane says it was a red card because he is Marouane, Martin Atkinson told me in his opinion it was a red card but I saw Aguero in the tunnel – no broken nose, no broken head, his face is as nice as always.
“So, I am not so sure. I think if Sergio doesn’t go to the floor, for sure it is not a red card. But if Marouane gave him the chance to do that… I don’t know.
“What I know is we played 15 minutes with 10 and the boys were absolutely amazing in the way they fought for the point.”
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The Portuguese added of the sending off in his post-match interview on Sky Sports 1: ”I didn’t watch but probably I can guess it’s a bit of a red card and that it’s a bit of a very experienced, smart Argentinian player.”
Mourinho, however, applauded his side’s performance. Asked if it was a fair result, the Portuguese said: “I think so because of our amazing spirit and our very good first half, when we easily controlled the game.
“We controlled the defensive part of the game and were always dangerous on the counter-attack.
“In the second half I think they were stronger than us. We coped defensively but we didn’t create problems in attack and we allowed them to feel they could win.”
The result leaves United a point outside the top four with five games remaining.
