We are delighted to announce that Jose Mourinho is our new manager!
Words that might have thrilled most fans, rattled a few others, but definitely intrigued all. The ‘Special One’ was returning to the biggest league on the planet, to renew his rivalry with Pep Guardiola. Fast forward a couple of months later and the 20-time champions Manchester United sit well off the pace, 6 points behind their neighbours Manchester City.
Manchester United, started the campaign with 9 points out of a possible 9, looking tidy at best without moving out of second gear. Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini looked decent, a two-man midfield that wasn’t troubled by the likes of Bournemouth, Southampton or Hull City. The team were bouncing in an attacking context with the arrival of the high-flying Zlatan Ibrahimovic. United returned from the international break looking forward to going 3 points clear at the top of the pile – home to Manchester City.
Things, however, went quite wrong, quite quick. Kevin de Bruyne capitalised on a Daley Blind error to slot home past an unmoved De Gea, followed by City youth product, Iheanacho stabbing home into an empty net.
Ibrahimovic attempted to restore parity with a goal before the ending of the half, but United failed to capitalise on their momentum going into the break, and ended up losing 2-1 on the night. Jose Mourinho doesn’t lose at home; almost as good as scientific fact, prior to the 2015-16 campaign.
But with schooling at the hands of Guardiola, one would have expected a response at Feyenoord, only to be stunned, as they watched a toothless United attack lose 1-0 in Rotterdam. A return to England and an away trip to Watford awaited a rested Wayne Rooney and his team, only for United fans to further be aggravated with a shock 3-1 defeat, at the hands of the Hornets.
What’s gone wrong?
Marouane Fellaini is not a defensive midfielder
He has been the best United player, given the role he’s been asked to perform. That being said, mopping up behind a creative front 5, in addition to winning aerial duels and at times protect Daley Blind’s inefficiency – Fellaini doesn’t quite fit the bill. A player playing that role is required to be creative in addition to dropping in as a third centre half.
Fellaini comes alive with his back towards goal and runners on either side, which he has in Martial, Rashford and at times the full-backs as well.
Michael Carrick would be the ideal option in that position in games that require his creativity and Morgan Schneiderlin in the games that require a holding presence.
Paul Pogba works in a 3 man midfield and is not mature enough to play in a 2 man midfield
Yes, he cost £89 million, and critics will say that he should be able to play in a one man midfield – but he can’t. Paul Pogba is at his most lethal when he’s running at the opposition with the assurance that there are legs to cope with in case of a potential turnover; which happens a lot in the Premier League.
He’s got the lot, a quick turn, a lovely range of passing, the odd naughty tackle and his party piece – the screamer. On his day, he can make even the best in the world stutter. But he needs a calming influence beside him. Mourinho has exiled Bastian Schweinsteiger, who could be a potential partner, but Pogba could also play beside Morgan Schneiderlin or Michael Carrick.
Paul Pogba will come good. When someone with the footballing acumen of Jose Mourinho is ready to pay such a price, you know it’s not all bark and no bite. He could even coexist in the system they played against Watford with a player like Rooney, Mata or Herrera being the other 8 in the side, in front of a holding midfielder likeSchneiderlin.
The Wayne Rooney conundrum
Wayne Rooney isn’t a striker anymore, and maybe he isn’t quite a number 10 either. But what he can be is a defensive no. 8 player. A player that spreads play, that arrives late in the box and that also tracks back and makes up the extra man in midfield when Paul Pogba or either winger is caught out.
He might have lost his pace, and a bit of his tenacity, but Wayne Rooney certainly hasn’t lost his range of pass. Rooney to Valencia is by far one of the most common routes in a United game and often leads to a chance. Wayne Rooney is also required on the pitch for another reason – United lack a leader. Zlatan is an enigma, a phenomenon and can inspire, but Rooney is the leader.
He’s had a couple of torrid displays, but over the course has got better. One can only be optimistic that he will get back to his high levels, otherwise United have a very serious problem.
Defensive organisation
In the build up to Zuniga pounding into the back of the net, as a fan, one could see the run that was about to be made, inside Eric Bailly, and it should never be happening. Under Louis van Gaal, United were boring, but their defensive organisation was on point. There’s a reason they conceded the least number of goals in the season. David De Gea was required less, and that was down to how well the back 4 were playing.
But ever since Kevin de Bruyne ran De Gea and co. ragged, things just haven’t looked the same. Every time the ball goes in the air towards the back line, the back line looks shaky and suspect. Out of the 4 at the back, Antonio Valencia always seems the most potent attacking threat.
Luke Shaw was one of the best attacking fullbacks in the league, but his desire to get forward has reduced drastically, whether a personal decision or something the manager has asked him to do, isn’t working.
United are most dangerous when they can attack from either side, and most importantly, the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are the most dangerous when a fullback can take out a defender with an overlapping run, allowing them the freedom of cutting in or picking the overlapping run.
The movement of the front 4
The front 4, have linked up well but have been static at times. Into Ibrahimovic’s feet or head is not an out ball associated with a club like Manchester United; United are known to cut through defenses like a knife through butter.
Most importantly, Mourinho must decide who his best front four or three players are based on his formation, and fast. A settled unit is one that is going to score more goals purely because of the chemistry and rapport developed between the front men.
With 5 games done, United will have to understand where their strengths lie and where they’re most vulnerable. Mourinho will have to understand that his squad is still a work in progress and haven’t linked up well with each other yet.
They’ve started slow, but they will need to improve and with the Champions visiting the coming Saturday, anything other than a fully motivated Manchester United side, could be staring at the prospect of a winless streak extending to 4 games or maybe more.
Let’s hope Mourinho sorts his problems out and makes some ruthless changes which will result in players being alert and not lethargic.
