Mourinho blames Brighton loss on United's fringe players

Manchester United's fringe players, who may have been hoping for a chance to feature in the FA Cup final later in May, didn't help themselves during Friday's loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Without naming names, Jose Mourinho tore into those he felt were responsible for the team's first defeat by the Seagulls since 1982, suggesting the six players he inserted into the lineup are to blame for the 1-0 loss.

"Not good enough," Mourinho said in an interview with Sky Sports. "The players that replaced others, they didn't perform at a good level, and when individuals don't perform at a good level, it is difficult for the team to perform at a good level.

"So maybe now you understand why some players play more than others, and you don't ask all the time why A, B, and C, they don't play more."

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

Brighton secured safety from relegation thanks to Pascal Gross' winner in a match where United's attack struggled to create opportunities without Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, who were both missing through injury.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were called into action, but ultimately failed to impress as United only managed to get three of its 16 shots on target despite dominating possession.

The poor performances of the duo - who were part of a lineup overhaul that included appearances by Marcos Rojo, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, and Matteo Darmian - seemingly served to justify Mourinho's decision to limit their involvement this season.

"I wouldn't say (I'm) disappointed because I know (the players)," he said. "But I thought for some of them the possibility to start a game, the possibility to give reason to the ones during the season who (are) critical of my choices: 'Why always Lukaku? Why always Lukaku? Why always Lukaku?' You have the answer."

United has two matches remaining - against West Ham and Watford, respectively - before taking on Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 19.