You'd have thought Jose Mourinho would be pleased after Manchester United's 1-0 win away to Southampton. Mauricio Pellegrino's men have been playing much better than the league table suggests and while a Paul Pogba-less United found themselves under pressure at times, they were tough and resilient. In some ways, it was similar to their previous outings, minus the late game goals.
If he was grumpy because he was sent off, he had every right to be. Sometimes, common sense applies. Sure, he encroached on the pitch and left his technical area, but he wasn't harassing the fourth official or haranguing his opposite number. (In fact, after getting his marching orders, he made it a point of shaking the hand of every single coach on the Southampton bench, which likely won't endear him to English referees, who tend not to appreciate the theatrical.)
More ominous perhaps were his comments about fatigue.
"[My players] were really tired at the end," he said. "Nine of them didn't play in midweek, so nine of them, it's not even an accumulation fatigue. ... I saw some players not sharp. Great spirit and always trying, but not the same sharpness."
It may be just meaningless, post-match Mourinho-speak -- or it might suggest we'll see a bit more rotation, given that seven of his players have started every league game this season. He certainly has the squad to do it, particularly at the back and in attacking midfield.
Click here to read more of Marcotti's thoughts on what occurred in European football over the previous week.