VIDEO: JOSE MOURINHO: 'WE COULD HAVE GONE 10 HOURS WITHOUT SCORING'

After his side's 1-0 loss at Newcastle's St James' Park, Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, said, "we could have played for 10 hours and not scored".

In the 65th-minute, after the Reds' Chris Smalling was adjudged to have dived, Jonjo Shelvey's free-kick was blocked by Florian Lejeune, landing for Dwight Gayle to flick on to Matt Ritchie who put it past David de Gea.

The only goal of the game sent the Red Devils to their fifth league defeat of the season, leaving them 16 points behind their Manchester rivals and league leaders, Manchester City.

Mourinho's side, who had 13 shots - six on target, now trail league leaders Manchester City by 16 points.

"The gods of football were clearly in their side," said the Portuguese. "It wasn't going to happen for us today," as his sides 13 shots with six on target proved fruitless at the final whistle.

This means that Mourinho's winless run in the Premier League at St James' Park extends to seven matches.

He also said that Newcastle "played like animals" to win their first home game in the league since October.

"My verdict is we could've been here for 10 hours and not scored a goal," he continued.

"They got from us a defensive mistake, and from a lateral free-kick they scored. They must have an amazing feeling after giving absolutely everything.

"They fought for their points and when they went in front, they gave their lives to keep a clean sheet. I think it's a beautiful way to win a football match."

United saw chances missed by Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard as Newcastle's debutant goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka, had an outstanding match.

"We had some [chances] with the score at 0-0," said Mourinho. "Alexis had an open goal and then the countless opportunities of the last 20-25 minutes. The double [miss] of Martial is incredible in the last minute."

In response to Smalling's dive, Mourinho said: "A defender has to concede free-kicks now and again. It was an intuitive thing.

"Players who do it in the box deserve a card more than Smalling in that situation. Clearly, I know we lost the duel in the air, and it's difficult to accept that."

Central-defender, Phil Jones, said they were "devastated" by the defeat, "We didn't show up. We started slow. They pressed us, the crowd were on their feet".

"We got control midway through the first half and should have scored but we weren't at the races. We weren't good enough.

"Ultimately we have conceded a sloppy goal. The lads are devastated in the dressing room."

The result leaves them just two points ahead of third-placed Liverpool, who beat Southampton 2-0.

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