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In 2015 when Jose Mourinho got sacked as the Chelsea manager after a poor run of results, Manchester United was going through a troubled period of their own under Louis Van Gaal. The Red Devils were struggling for a top-four finish, and the buzz was that this season would be last for the Dutchman.
Even before the season ended, reports emerged that Manchester United was lining up Jose Mourinho to take over the managerial position from Van Gaal. Finally, the official announcement came on 27th May 2016 when the Portuguese signed a three-year deal with the Red Devils giving a ray of hope to the fans that the glory days might be back at the Theatre of Dreams after three tumultuous seasons.
Jose Mourinho promised to the fans that he would fight for everything and try to win all the trophies available. In his first season, he made two mega signings - Zlatan Ibrahimović and Paul Pogba along with Eric Bailly from Villarreal and Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Though United finished sixth in the league that season, it was the Europa League triumph and the League Cup victory that saved the season from being a failure with expectations that the next season would be better because it was Jose Mourinho's second season.
The second season didn't turn out as expected with United finishing runners-up to City in the Premier League and losing the FA Cup final to Chelsea which resulted in a trophyless season for Jose Mourinho.
But instead of the results, it's his declining relationship with the players in the second half of the season that concerned the United faithful. He had already sold Mkhitaryan to Arsenal and put Martial to the bench. Jose grew frustrated with Paul Pogba's inconsistency, Eric Bailly's casual approach and new signing Victor Lindelof failing to get even a regular first-team place.
The current campaign began in a negative mindset with Jose Mourinho moaning about not getting the desired players in the transfer market. He had already had a training ground argument with Paul Pogba and publicly criticized both Eric Bailly and Victory Lindelof after their dismal show against Brighton earlier in the season.
There are rumours that players are dissatisfied with the manager and not performing up to their potential which could potentially lead to them leaving Old Trafford. Without undermining the achievements of the Portuguese manager, it will be safe to say that he does have a history of leaving the dressing room in tatters at different clubs around the world.
Here are three players who might just opt to leave Old Trafford if Jose Mourinho stays on.
#3. Eric Bailly
Eric Bailly was one of Jose Mourinho's signings in his first season at Old Trafford. The Ivory Coast International is quick and robust, and not afraid to put his body on the line. His performances for Villareal impressed the Portuguese who didn't waste time to sign the Ivorian on a four-year contract at Manchester United.
In his first month as a United player, Bailly was Manchester United's Player of the Month. But injured his knee in the defeat against Chelsea that season and since then, he impressed in patches, but the pundits and the media have highly criticized his causal approach and recklessness with Jose Mourinho dropping the Ivorian in the latter half of last season.
After a horror show against Brighton this season, Mourinho seems to have has lost all his trust in the Ivorian with Chris Smalling, and Victor Lindelof coming up as his preferred centre-back partnership for the time being.
#2. Anthony Martial
Antony Martial started his professional career with Lyon and then moved to Moncao where he played for two seasons before signing up for Manchester United in 2015 at a transfer fee of €60 million.
At that time under Louis Van Gaal, United lacked a potential threat from the flanks which the Frenchman provided. He was not only United's highest goal scorer that season but notably scored his debut goal against Liverpool in front of the Stretford End. He was also named Premier League Player of the month in his first month in English football.
Martial failed to show the same form in his second season at United with off-field problems getting the better of him, and he was unable to get a spot in Jose Mourinho's line up. Even before the current campaign started, Martial left early in the middle of the pre-season campaign making the manager extremely unhappy.
The fans were calling for Jose to play the Frenchman and he did give him a chance dropping Sanchez, but he failed to take his opportunity with a below-par display. Already preferred after Sanchez and Rashford, Martial could opt to leave United or rather Jose Mourinho this January. His contract is also due to expire at the end of this season.
#1. Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba was the most expensive player at that time when Manchester United signed him from Juventus in 2016 at the reported fee of €105 million. There was a lot buzz around Old Trafford when he came in as many believed that he would be that pillar in the United midfield.
Despite not performing to his best in his first season under Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese did back his talisman and confirmed that he would eventually come good. Paul started the second season on a high note scoring two goals in the first two games but gradually inconsistency crept in, and the manager's patience ran out.
Even before the current season started, shots were fired from either end, with the manager saying that the World Cup format favoured the Frenchman more. Pogba also added fire to the fuel with his comments about a move away from Old Trafford. Paul even questioned United's style of play after the draw against Wolves this season.
He is one of the best midfielders in the world right now and with Barcelona and Juventus lurking in the shadows, if he leaves, it would be a significant loss for United going forward.
