Zlatan reveals Reds frustration

Date published: 03 February 2017


STRIKER Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been left deflated by Manchester United's failure to capitalise on the struggles of their rivals for a top-four finish.

Manchester City comfortably won at West Ham, but the other Champions League contenders failed to win their midweek fixtures as Liverpool drew with leaders Chelsea, Tottenham were held at Sunderland and Arsenal lost at home to Watford.

United, who make the trip to reigning champions Leicester City on Sunday, followed the trend as Hull became the latest side to frustrate Jose Mourinho's men at Old Trafford, digging deep to leave with a deserved 0-0 draw.

The United manager's anger at refereeing decisions was clear after the match, but Ibrahimovic admits the players need to shoulder much of the responsibility.

"I am very disappointed of course, because we don't win the game," the front man said.

"It would have been nice to win, because the other teams lost some points and we would come closer to the top four."

Ibrahimovic added: "I think we had some chances to score, but we didn't score, so we kept creating and creating.

"And we missed that last third of the field where we were not doing it like we know how to do and are able to do."

United defender Phil Jones echoed the veteran Swede's sentiments.

The defender told MUTV: "We knew that teams around us would slip up and they have done, but we couldn't capitalise on it.

"We're bitterly disappointed. The lads are down in the dressing room."

A disappointing night was compounded as Jones limped off 55 minutes into the goalless draw, pulling up hurt under pressure from Oumar Niasse.

"My foot's bruised, but I'll be fine," Jones said.