Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho said he would be “on holiday in Brazil or Los Angeles” if he thought the Premier League title race was over, as his side edged past Bournemouth.
United bounced back from their defeat by rivals Manchester City with a victory, but failed to make any inroads on unbeaten league leaders City, who thrashed Swansea 4-0 to maintain their 11-point advantage.
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku scored the winner in the first half, heading in to the top corner from Juan Mata’s cross towards the six-yard box.
Mourinho said: “The City game was a big one, and a defeat does not help in your recovery – victories help, defeats don’t.
“Bournemouth were difficult opponents and difficult conditions. If we had scored the second it would have been a calm night for us.
“I am pleased with the three points. They had one more day’s rest than us, they were fresher than us, and mentally fresher because a big match takes more from our players.
“[The title race] is only over in May. If it is over now I go on holiday to Brazil or Los Angeles.”
United could have netted a second but substitute Marcus Rashford’s thumping drive came back off the crossbar.
Visitors Bournemouth caused plenty of problems for United but were unable to find a way past David de Gea, whose best save of the contest came from Ryan Fraser’s cross-shot.
BBC sports