Manchester United were dumped out of the EFL Cup at the quarter-final stage tonight after a shock 2-1 defeat at Ashton Gate.
Joe Bryan gave the home side the lead and although Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised for United just before the hour mark, Korey Smith hit the winner to send City into the last four of the competition for the first time since the 1988/89 season.
City's reward for disposing of United is a semi-final draw against Manchester City.
With a bumper festive programme, Mourinho admitted it was a game some of his players didn’t want.
“In the first half we lacked the intensity that they had,” Mourinho said.
It was one more day in the office for my players, a day that some of them didn't even want to come
“Physically and mentally. It was one more day in the office for my players, a day that some of them didn't even want to come to he office."
When reflecting on the performance as a whole, Mourinho added: “They were a bit lucky but they fought a lot to be lucky. Everyone was waiting for our goal so they were lucky.
“We hit the post twice."
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"But they played brilliantly, they fought like it was the game of their lives which probably it was.
“A beautiful day for football. A team from the lower division won. A big day for them.”
United return to Premier League duties away to Leicester on Saturday (7.45pm).