Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder couldn’t resist aiming a subtle dig at Manchester United following his side’s FA Cup quarter-final loss to Chelsea.
The Teesiders had beaten Manchester United and Tottenham en-route to facing the reigning European and world champions at the Riverside on Saturday.
The Championship side’s dream run was brought to an end as Thomas Tuchel’s men ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.
Wilder’s Boro beat Ralf Rangnick’s Reds on penalties in February which meant the former Sheffield United boss made it back-to-back wins at Old Trafford.
Following the defeat to Tuchel’s Blues, the 54-year-old spoke in glowing terms about the Stamford Bridge side and lauded their winning mentality.
But the Yorkshiremen felt the lack of clarity surrounding Manchester United’s next permanent manager has had an impact on the Red Devils closing the gap to the Londoners.
Speaking via the Express, Wilder said: “We played a full hit Man United, a full hit Tottenham and a full hit Chelsea.
“We hung in there with United and beat them on penalties. We fully deserved it versus Tottenham and we couldn’t find the right defensive moments tonight.
“Chelsea just find a way. It is the mentality of the group led by an incredible manager. They have stability with Thomas coming in and the other two clubs maybe don’t have that.
“Their skipper (Cesar Azpilicueta), Thiago (Silva) and (Antonio) Rudiger just want to win and that’s why they win things and are champions.”
Manchester United are no closer to appointing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long-term permanent successor despite the legendary Norwegian being relieved of his duties back in November.
Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag have been the frontrunners for the United hot-seat, but no official progress has yet been made.
Rangnick is expected to move upstairs and fulfil a consultancy role for two years once United’s miserable season comes to an end.
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