Mourinho wants FA Cup response from stuttering Man Utd

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester United will be desperate to bounce back in the FA Cup fifth round against Huddersfield on Saturday, their first match featuring opinion dividing video assistant referee (VAR) technology.

Defeat at the hands of Newcastle at the weekend left Jose Mourinho’s men second in the Premier League but just four points clear of Tottenham in fifth as the race for the top four heats up.

Now they travel to Huddersfield — where they lost in the league earlier this season — ahead of a testing run of fixtures that could define their season, with major questions over how best to deploy club record signing Paul Pogba and new boy Alexis Sanchez.

3️⃣ games in 3️⃣ competitions next week, starting with Saturday’s big @EmiratesFACup clash.

Agree with this, #MUFC fans? ?

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 15, 2018

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“It’s very difficult to put me in a position where I have to criticise my players,” said Mourinho when quizzed on Pogba’s lack of form, which saw the £89 million ($125 million) midfielder dropped by his Portuguese manager when United last faced Huddersfield a fortnight ago.

There have been mixed reactions to the VAR system, which has been used in a handful of League Cup and FA Cup ties.

The recent fourth-round FA Cup tie between Liverpool and West Brom proved particularly contentious as the extra official awarded Jurgen Klopp’s side a penalty, ruled out a goal for his opponents then confirmed another would stand.

– Mourinho backs VAR –

“When people ask us if we like it, if we don’t like it, if we agree with it or don’t agree with it, I think honestly it’s a question for the referees,” said Mourinho, who said he backed the system but that it needed adjustments to preserve the flow of the game.