Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has lamented his side's inconsistent season.
The Red Devils denied Manchester City the opportunity to win the title by beating their neighbours at the Etihad two weeks ago, only to go and lose 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
The loss to the Baggies handed City their fifth Premier League title. And Mourinho thinks United's play against lower opponents helped them get there.
"I spoke with them about it," Mourinho said after his side beat Bournemouth 2-0 on Wednesday night. "I think we are inconsistent, and we are inconsistent many times in our attitude.
"With our top five opponents, we didn't lose any points from them. Against City, we won, lost. Against Spurs, we won, we lost. Against Chelsea, we won, we lost. Against Liverpool, we won, we drew so we got one point from Liverpool.
"Against Arsenal, we won and we still have one match to play so we are not going to lose, so we didn't lose points in the two duels against direct opponents.
"But then we lost three points against teams that were promoted. We lost against Huddersfield Town, we lost against Newcastle United. We lost points against teams who are probably going to be relegated, or are in this group of the relegation fight. We lost three points against West Brom.
"We lost two points against all the other teams involved in that fight, Stoke, Southampton. So I think we were not consistent and you pay the price. You pay the price.
"Change has to be based on their attitude, their mentality. It's about that. This season of course was a much better season in the Premier League for us than the last one. The last one we finished sixth.
"I know that the Europa League was a target and you lose a little bit of focus. From a certain moment the Europa League was fundamental and we lost a few points in the Premier League but a much better season.
"We are quite safe in the top four. We have big chances to finish second. We already have more points than at the end of last season, with more goals, with less goals conceded, was much better.
"But could be even better. I don't say [we could] be champions. I don't say that because Manchester City are much better than us. The difference in points shows that. But we need to be more consistent in our approach."
Mourinho continued: "I know how to win titles, in case some of the new guys don't know, I won eight championships in four different countries and three in this country. I know why you win and I know why you don't win.
"No doubts about City's quality, no doubts in any circumstances they would win this title because they are the better team, but we could have, I would say, 10 more points than we have. No doubts. We should have 10 more points than we have."
