5 reasons why Jose Mourinho failed at Manchester United

#2 Years of mismanagement at United

From 2011 onwards, the top clubs at the premier league are increasingly focused on commercial growth, in markets like India and China. United were trailblazers in this regard, accruing by far the greatest global support.

Ed Woodward, who had overseen commercial planning and marketing during that time, was made Chief Executive in 2013, replacing David Gill, who had been more football focused. Woodward’s tenure, whilst continuing United’s incredible financial growth, has been plagued by inexperience in actual football.

Ferguson’s recommendation of Moyes was taken immediately as gospel, without analysing what a big risk it was to appoint a man who had never won anything to take over at the biggest club on earth. Moyes first transfer window saw them wait until Maroune Fellaini had signed a new contract before signing him, costing them about 10 million pounds.

Not a single player signed under Woodward before Mourinho had taken over could be classed as an unqualified success, in a time that saw Darren Fletcher, Robin Van Persie, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Shinji Kagawa and Park Ji Sung all leave the club.

Under Louis van Gaal and Moyes, the most important contributors tended to be Ferguson signings, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, and David de Gea, the former two who were coming to the end of their time at United.

When Mourinho took over, an overhaul of the playing staff was desperately needed. Whilst his attempts to do so were woefully inadequate, it must be acknowledged that it was a tougher job than many appreciate.