Hyypia bemoans Leverkusen´s ´mental aspect´

Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia believes his team lacked the right mentality in their 4-2 loss to Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney’s brace, which included his 200th goal for United, saw the English Premier League side make a winning start in Group A of the UEFA Champions League.

Simon Rolfes briefly put Leverkusen back on level terms in the 54th minute at Old Trafford on Tuesday, but Robin van Persie, Rooney and Antonio Valencia struck to give United a three-goal lead.

Omer Toprak’s 88th-minute goal was mere consolation and Hyypia paid tribute to United, and said his team had work to do.

“Before the game, we talked a lot about the mental aspect of these matches because it’s a very important factor in football,” Hyypia said.

“I think we were lacking some elements of that today. We have to continue working hard in order to improve in that area.

“However, you should not forget that we lost to a very good team today.”

The former Liverpool defender also praised Rooney, who was once again sporting a black headband to protect the facial injury he suffered in training on August 31.

”It looks so easy the way he is playing,” Hyypia said.

”He is still scoring goals and he will continue to score them.”