United drew 2-2 with Southampton on their visit to the St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday evening, yet again coming from behind to salvage a point.
It was the sixth time in the last eight Premier League games that Mourinho’s men have conceded first, although the side have collected eight points from those losing positions.
Goals from Stuart Armstrong and Cedric Soares put the Saints ahead within 20 minutes, but a rally before half-time pulled United level, with Romelu Lukaku bagging his first in 12 games for the club, and Ander Herrera his first of the season.
The Red Devils could not take their momentum into the second half, however, registering only one shot on target as the game petered out.
Once again, it was a lack of movement and poor decision-making which cost Mourinho’s side, who now lay six points off fourth-place Chelsea having played one game more.
Speaking after the match, the United manager told BT Sport: “We lost so many balls in midfield and in our transition to the last third it was difficult to have that continuity.
“What we did so well in the end of the first half was connect the attacking players by playing simple, accelerating the play.
“When the players don’t understand simplicity is genius, it is difficult to have that continuity.
“What we needed to improve was to play one-touch, two-touch, make it simple, make it arrive fast for the attacking players.
“By losing too many balls in midfield we broke the dynamic that usually leads to goals.”
As for United’s barren run at the start of matches this season, Mourinho continued: “I’m always confident but always doubtful at the same time because we don’t start well many times.
“Today we had a reason for the fragility. Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic, were out of position, and Phil Jones had to step up, and in my opinion he played really well.”
The Old Trafford club have a litany of injured centre-halves who missed Saturday’s game, including Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling.
On those absentees, Mourinho revealed: “Victor Lindelof is an important injury.
“If Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly are ready – if they are ready to train tomorrow it wouldn’t be a surprise.”