José Mourinho delivered a stark warning to his Manchester United players after they lost for the second game in a row under the new manager.
Tonny Vilhena struck a 79th-minute winner as Feyenoord surprised United at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam in the opening match of both teams' UEFA Europa League campaigns.
And Mourinho offered no excuses for his players, who face a return to the English Premier League against Watford on Sunday at midday.
"I know we play midday on Sunday, and in his moment it's 9pm on Thursday, but we are professionals. Let's not make an excuse for Sunday because we have to play this game," Mourinho said.
"The players are professional, they have to be fit and they have to be mentally strong to play again."
United has now lost two games in a row, falling to its first English Premier League defeat of the season against Manchester City on Saturday before its Europa League disappointment.
Mourinho is expected to return several first-choice players to his side for Sunday's game, including captain Wayne Rooney, who was rested for the club's trip to the Netherlands.
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Sportswriter at Newsweek.
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