'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The decline of The Red Devils has seemingly commenced, despite them finishing second last season in the Premier League, United have lost two back to back games this season, and they look pretty much weaker than the season before.
Manchester United encountered a thrashing defeat just last week against Tottenham at Old Trafford, with Jose's men no match for The Lilywhites. A 0-3 defeat at home for the most decorated club in Manchester is an absolute embarrassment.
What went wrong? Who is to be blamed? Is it because of Jose's tactics Manchester United are losing, or is it because of a lack of passion and dedication from his men?
However, The Red Devils still have time to get back on track. It is just the start of the season, and if they do not make effective decisions now, they might not finish in the top 6.
Here are 4 ways Man Utd could turn it around.
#4 World class attack clicking
Clearly, one cannot find flaws in the attacking unit of United. Maybe the tactics executed by Jose Mourinho is not working on the team, but with the attacking options Manchester United have, they should be finishing every game with at least 2 goals scored, if not more.
The likes of Lukaku, Sanchez, Rashford, and Lingard can bring a mid-table team to the top 3 or 4, if not higher. Many claim that Jose's tactics and his defensive formations are evidently impeding his attackers.
However, Mourinho is the reason Manchester United finishing second last season, it would not be completely right to put all the blame on the manager now.
Lukaku has been having troubles with his first touch since his Everton days, and he does not seem to be improving at all. He missed an open goal against Tottenham last week, though it was on his weaker foot. But if you're getting paid thousands of pounds per week, the least you can do is score open goals, irrespective of which foot your shot was on.
#3 David De Gea stepping up
David De Gea from being named the best last season, is somewhat down the pecking order at the moment. The Spanish goalkeeper had a disheartening World Cup campaign, something he might want to forget forever.
De Gea was not anywhere close to his best in any of the World Cup games, and it seems that campaign has had an adverse effect on his confidence and self belief.
It is pretty apparent that he needs motivation. Every football fan has witnessed his ability to pull out unbelievable saves out of nothing, and some disappointing games do not define his talent.
The least the manager can do is help him regain his confidence. He is the reason why Manchester United reached the Ro16 of the UCL last year, and a second place finish would not have been possible without him.
#2 Jose Mourinho stepping up
Jose's tactics seem to backfire. Though he has won trophies in abundance across Europe, United under Mourinho is looking flawed and dispassionate. Jose needs to ameliorate his tactics, and his man-management has also been a bit of a concern.
It's pretty unlikely that Mourinho might change his defensive style of football, as this is what he has been relying on since the start of his managerial career. And his tactics don't seem to be a problem. It's the players who need to be blamed. The three goals conceded against Tottenham were purely defensive errors.
Coming to his man management abilities, Jose Mourinho dropped Eric Bailey from the squad to face Tottenham.
The most obvious reason for dropping him is because of the reckless challenge Eric made last weekend against Brighton which resulted in a penalty. The Red Devils lost 3-2 to Brighton away from home.
Eric Bailey is probably the best defender he has in his squad, and dropping him for such an important game was certainly not a wise decision. Mistakes happen, and Eric has been a consistent defender. If it wasn't for injuries, he would have been much better.
Also, the attacking options Mourinho has is ample. His defensive style of play is the most likely reason his forwards are under-performing. The likes of Lingard, Pogba and Lukaku have all played brilliant football for their country recently, as England, France, and Belgium play attacking football.
Either the United players have to learn and improve under Mourinho's defensive tactics, or Jose needs to change his style of play.
#1 Winter transfer market reinforcements
It all depends on the winter transfer market now. Jose Mourinho continuously asked the board throughout the summer market to sign a quality centre-back, but they failed to.
The likes of Maguire and Boateng stayed with their current employers because no interesting offer was made from the United board.
Now the UCL group stage games are out, and if the board thinks that they can stroll past teams like Valencia and Young boys, let me be the one to burst the bubble.
The likelihood of Juventus topping Group H is high, but Spanish teams are not to be underrated. Valencia could surprise Juventus, you never know. United have got a tough group, compared to other teams.
Valencia is even stronger than Sevilla, and they possess immense strength and pace in attack. Moreover, their defence is settled, unlike United's, and they have pretty good options for the midfield.
If the board does not plan on supporting the manager to bring in reinforcements, cheap or not, they won't be lasting in the UEFA Champions League.
The winter transfer window will play a huge role in United's performances in the remainder of the season. There are top quality players available in the market, and the board must support the manager and the transfer team to make transfers.
This will likely be the last chance Mourinho gets to show his worth at Old Trafford, and if United fails to win silverware this season, I doubt if he'd stay for yet another season.
There are world-class managers in abundance who could take up the job of rebuilding The Red Devils' status. The likes of Conte and Zinedine Zidane could provide what the fans need, and what the board expects. However, if Mourinho can win top tier trophies with his 'boring' style of football, Manchester United fans shouldn't mind much.
