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Manchester United's decision to release Portuguese tactician Jose Mourinho has dominated the headlines during the past few days, with the Premier League side announcing that they have parted ways with the 55-year-old on Tuesday evening - a few days after they fell to an embarrassing 3-1 defeat against Liverpool at the Anfield Stadium.
The former Chelsea manager enjoyed some level of success during his first 2 years at the Old Trafford but his third season steered in the wrong direction amidst negative results - losing 5 of his 17 Premier League games and conceding an embarrassing 29 goals in the process as well as frequently falling out with both the management and some top figures in the squad - especially Paul Pogba.
With the manager now gone, it means that there will be no excuses for mediocrity at the Old Trafford anymore. Therefore, we highlight 5 superstars who need to step up with their performances following the departure of the Portuguese:
#5. Chris Smalling
Just as we have all witnessed since last season, English International, Chris Smalling has failed to impress with his performances at the heart of Manchester United's defence and that was one of the reasons why Jose Mourinho was desperate to sign a centre-back during the summer transfer window.
With the Portuguese now gone, there is no doubt Smalling remains one of the few superstars at the Old Trafford who need to step up with their displays as the Red Devils aim to get back to their best and avoid embarrassment this season.
Smalling needs to be more rigid at the heart of the defence and also improve his man-marking skills. He also needs to work on his quick decision-making in order to cope with the intensity and pace of opposition attackers in the English top flight.
#4. David De Gea
A man who was hailed by many as the best goalkeeper in the world during the previous campaign, Spanish International, David De Gea has failed to reproduce his extraordinary performances between the sticks at the Old Trafford this season.
The former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has been an ordinary shadow of himself since the beginning of the term, having already conceded a whopping 29 goals in 17 Premier League appearances for the Manchester outfit so far as well as letting in 4 goals in the UEFA Champions League, to sum up, how miserable his performances have been.
There is no denying De Gea belongs among the most talented guardians in Europe at the moment, but he needs to work really hard and improve his performances at goal to preserve his reputation and also help Manchester United in the revival mission this season.
#3. Romelu Lukaku
Belgian International, Romelu Lukaku is also one of the Manchester United superstars who need to up their games and improve their performances in order to help the Red Devils overcome their poor start to the campaign following the sacking of Jose Mourinho recently.
Although the striker has recorded 6 goals to his name in 22 appearances for the Manchester outfit across all competitions this season, he has struggled with consistency during the past few weeks. There are also concerns that he has added weight and he was frozen out of the starting lineup during a couple of important fixtures recently.
A highly talented attacker with incredible physicality and amazing finishing skills, there is no doubt Manchester United need Romelu Lukaku to find his form as early as possible while they work towards overcoming their poor start to the season.
#2. Alexis Sanchez
Once one of the most impressive attackers in English Premier League during his time at Arsenal, the same cannot be said of Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez ever since he left the North Londoners to complete a big move to join Manchester United last season.
The attacker has been a huge flop ever since he switched to the Old Trafford in the winter - managing just an embarrassing 4 goals and 7 assists to his name in 29 appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions and only 1 of those goals have come from this season.
While most of the blame was always on Jose Mourinho that he failed to get the best out of the winger due to his defensive tactics, there will be no excuses for the Chilean International now that the manager has been sacked by the club. Therefore, Sanchez must step up and prove himself to the club in the absence of the Portuguese.
#1. Paul Pogba
French International, Paul Pogba became the most expensive footballer in the world when he left Juventus to return to Manchester United during the summer of 2016, with the Red Devils paying a whopping £89 million to bring him back to the Premier League.
However, the player has failed to match up with the expectations that accompanied his transfer to the Old Trafford ever since then and he has been able to hide under the shortcomings and perceived negative tactics of former Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho during the past few years.
Now that the Portuguese has been sacked by the United board, Pogba has the biggest responsibility to prove himself at the Old Trafford and all eyes will be on him to justify his cost with his performances on the pitch this season as the Red Devils aim to get back on track.
