Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he was left frustrated after his side played out to a 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Red Devils claimed their 11th stalemate of the season and are now placed fifth on the Premier League standing with 53 points, having won 14 out of 28 matches played, trailing rivals Manchester City by five points in fourth.

The Portuguese manager says he was left frustrated after his side failed to break down the Baggies defence, but admits that it was a lack of consistency in his attacking players that, ultimately, cost the Reds another two points in the battle for a top four spot.

‘I don’t criticise the other team or that the other team comes here to get the point, to defend, to try to stop the game and try to buy some time. They did their game and I have nothing to say in relation to that,’ Mourinho told the Manchester United website.

‘What I can say is we tried. We had six players for me, who were absolutely phenomenal in their attitude, mentality and consistency.

‘And then you have four creative players, four you need to score a goal for you and they didn’t. They had flashes, glimpses and moments but they don’t have consistency. We pay with two more points [dropped] for that.’

The 54-year-old says he is not happy with the fact that United are playing two games in the space of three days, but he insists that his side have to carry on and play through their busy fixture list.

‘It’s such a small squad, I cannot be happy to play in two days without options. I’m happy to play every game but, in this moment, I’m without options,’ he added.

‘Many people, especially in some positions, cannot play and I would prefer to give a little rest to brave guys like Antonio [Valencia] and Eric [Bailly], who were playing for the national teams and travelling here to come to play again.

‘They deserve a little bit more, but we have to do it so let’s go.’

Manchester United will be hoping to bounce back when they take on Everton in the Premier League on Tuesday.

The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 21:00.