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If an audit was to be done on Manchester United this season, the results would be astonishing. The only good things going this season is the Champions League knockout qualification and Anthony Martial’s rediscovered form. Everything from the club’s leadership to the players have been shambolic. The team is barely recognisable. United as a team traditionally has been a symbol of attractive football, fight and success.
None of those things can be associated with the current Red Devils team. It has all been a crazy circus of taking chances and unpredictability. United fans simply do not know their team’s ability this season.
On one side of the coin, the team has struggled and even lost against minor sides such as Brighton Albion and Derby County. On the other, United has won against Juventus and picked a favourable away draw against Chelsea.
United have had collective factors that have all played a part in their sorry state this season. The 20-time English champions have many-a-times been a joke to watch and even former club legends have poured heavy criticism on the club.
Here are three key things that have gone wrong for the team in the current campaign.
#3 Defence
Out of all the areas of the pitch, it is on the defensive end that the team has flopped this season. Mourinho has Eric Bally, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Victor Lindelof as his senior centre-backs options.
These players are not amateurs. They have all played at the highest levels. In fact, it is only Eric Bailly who has not played at either the World Cup or European Championship. Mourinho is traditionally a defence-first type of manager.
Even in that aspect, United has failed miserably. Mourinho has not found his ideal defensive combination. The team has conceded 25 goals in the Premier League compared to the 24 they have scored.
They have only kept two clean sheets so far which mirrors a team that should be in the relegation places. Mourinho has consistently chosen Smalling, Shaw, Lindelof and Ashley Young. A change of personnel is definitely needed in the back four
#2 Tactics
Which is United’s best formation? Mourinho has tried 3-5-2 which was in the dismal 2-2 draw with Southampton. He has also tried 4-4-2 in the first game that he rested an underperforming Romelu Lukaku.
He has majorly played a 4-3-3 which is popular among top clubs. The only difference is the other top clubs are fighting for Champions League places and winning games at will. Regardless of the formation, Mourinho has failed at deploying the right players in those formations.
Nemanja Matic has the ability to be a commanding defensive midfield enforcer. However, even he gets fatigued. Matic needs a rest to rebuild and regain full fitness. Mourinho has also played him out of position several times this season. Mourinho quite simply does not know what works for United even if he sees it.
#1 Leadership
When it comes to it, poor leadership has played a huge role in United’s downfall. Mourinho’s style of leadership has created an unfavourable atmosphere at Old Trafford. He publicly criticises his players and freezes out those who contradict him.
Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly have all faced his wrath this season. Martial was sparingly used at the start of the season. Pogba was stripped of the vice-captaincy and Bailly has been playing second fiddle even to holding midfielders for that centre back position.
Ed Woodward has also not exercised good leadership. He has not made the necessary managerial changes despite an obvious reason to do so. The team is not performing and Mourinho has had a huge hand in that.
United also desperately need a sporting director who will bridge the gap between the team and those high in the United hierarchy. The Red Devils do not have leaders on the field and the few that exist have been gagged by the manager.
