Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has urged his players to prove they are “men” following the 4-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.

The former Real Madrid chief had an afternoon to forget when he returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time as the manager of another team.

His side fell behind after just 30 seconds when Pedro netted before further goals from Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante wrapped up a huge win for Chelsea.

Sunday’s defeat saw United’s six-match unbeaten run come to an end but they will get the chance to put it right when they tackle Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

City claimed a 2-1 win in September in their Premier League clash but Mourinho wants his players to bounce back.

He told MUTV: “I would prefer to play [next] in the Premier League. It’s a bad feeling in the Premier League.

With the combination of results, the gap to the top is six points. “We have had a very difficult period of matches.

We lost points this week and, even in the match when we played phenomenal against Stoke [a 1-1 draw], we lost points then.

Now we need to win matches. “I am not saying they are easy ones, but we have Burnley, we have Swansea, West Ham, Sunderland, Middlesbrough – matches that we need to win.

“We are really, really sad, but again this is not for kids, this is for men and… we have to be men and work for the next one.”

United are the 2.60 favourites to win at home, with the draw 3.30, while Pep Guardiola’s men are priced at 2.80 to win inside 90 minutes.