MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho says he is confident the poor attitude of his players that contributed to Manchester United's shock defeat to Huddersfield has been stamped out.
Mourinho accused his squad of lacking "aggression and motivation" after the 2-1 defeat at the John Smith's Stadium.
But ahead of Tottenham's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday, the 54-year-old is adamant it was "an isolated case."
He told a news conference on Friday: "To play badly and lose matches, I think that can happen again.
"It happens during a season, you cannot play well all the time, you cannot win all the time. You cannot even be lucky all the time.
"So to lose again, I think it is going to happen, but in terms of the attitude that we didn't like and knowing the players and what good people they are, I believe it was an isolated case."
During his press conference at Huddersfield, Mourinho had appeared unhappy with a postmatch interview given by Ander Herrera in which the Spaniard said United had lacked "passion."
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But the United manager -- who also denied reports of a training ground inquest following last weekend's defeat -- insisted he has no problem with the midfielder speaking his mind.
He said: "I was surprised but happy because it is not easy for the players to recognise and admit, so I was happy because it shows dignity and it shows character and it shows intelligence to realise the reason why we lost the match.
"So, contrary to imaginary sources that tell you everything we do here, I can promise you since that match I have not spoken one word, or spent a single second talking about that match.
"There is no need. After all the words by the players and their feelings after that match, there is no need to go over it."
United and Tottenham face off in the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday level on points in the Premier League with 20 apiece from nine games.
Tottenham, who will be without top scorer Harry Kane, have lost their last three visits to Old Trafford without scoring a goal and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by West Ham on Wednesday.
Mauricio Pochettino has guided Tottenham to back-to-back second-place finishes in the Premier League but has yet to win a trophy.
Mourinho, though, was in no mood to pile more pressure on the Argentinian.
He added: "It's not for me to judge that. Pressure, no pressure, has to win the title, yes or no, it's not my problem.
"I just have a very good relationship with him. He's one of the guys I've known for many years and we've always had a very good relationship.
"I think he's a very good manager, but don't ask me more than that."
Source: espn.co.uk