Mourinho attacks players after shock Carabao Cup exit

Manchester United Manager, Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho launched a scathing attack on his own player after Bristol City knocked holders Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

City sent United crashing out after Korey Smith’s stoppage-time strike secured a stunning 2-1 victory at Ashton Gate.

The Championship promotion challengers joined Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in the last-four as Smith’s winner rocked a star-studded United side.

Joe Bryan gave City a 51st-minute lead but Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised shortly afterward. Then, just when extra-time beckoned, Smith was set free by Matty Taylor and delivered the goods.

United became City’s fourth Premier League scalp in the Carabao Cup this season after they sent Watford, Stoke City and Crystal Palace packing.

“A beautiful day for football. A team from the lower division won. A big day for them,” BBC Sport reports Mourinho as saying.

“In the first half, we lacked the intensity that they had. Physically and mentally.

“It was one more day in the office for my players, a day that some of them didn’t even want to come to the office.

“They were a bit lucky but they fought a lot to be lucky.

“But they played brilliantly, they fought like it was the game of their lives which probably it was.

“Everyone was waiting for our goal so they were lucky. We hit the post twice.”