Jose Mourinho - From the Special One to the Helpless One

Mourinho's Controversial Statements

Manchester United v Valencia - UEFA Champions League Group H

Jose Mourinho simply cannot stay out of headlines. His blunt, and at times provocative, remarks have put him at constant odds with his critics and even members of his team. Mourinho's latest period of controversies began in the second half of the 2017/18 season when he became impatience with Pogba and openly questioned the Frenchman's attitude on the pitch. A month later, in the defeat against Brighton, Mourinho justified his decision of always starting Lukaku - and not others -to the media.

His statement was perceived as a dig against Martial and Rashford who were disappointing in that game. His overt, albeit indirect, criticism came amidst rumors of Martial and Rashford wanting to leave the club to get more playing time. Mourinho's dig at Martial was further exacerbated during the summer when the manager publicly expressed his frustration about Martial's belated return to the club for family reasons. Mourinho "tough love" approach did not work well on Martial, as the Frenchman hit back at his manager by stating that he prioritized his family over the club.

Although Martial ended up staying in Manchester, it remains to be seen if the Frenchman would force his way out again when the transfer window opens in January. The biggest clash, nonetheless, involves Mourinho and Pogba. Much has been said about the escalating conflict between the two, but the saga once again proves that Mourinho's "tough love" approach does not materialize on every player he wishes to improve on. It worked on Luke Shaw because the full-back still has much to learn to prove; however, Pogba has proven himself at Juventus and in the national team. As a World Cup winner, one of the most expensive midfielders, and a player with a massive ego, Pogba simply cannot swallow Mourinho's assail towards him. As a result, Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola have been plotting for a move out of Manchester since August. As the repercussions of their recent clash in the training session continue to reverberate, it appears unlikely the duo could ever repair their strained relationship. Worse, the clash has heightened the gloomy mood surrounding other United players - a scenario which certainly would not help the squad their recent miseries around.

Aside from players, Mourinho has found himself at loggerheads with his employer Ed Woodward. Throughout the summer, the Portuguese have repeatedly bemoaned his inability to acquire the players he yearned for, especially a center back. Given that Liverpool and Man City have strengthened their respective squad with quality players, the United manager was desperate to get "one or two more players" from the "list of players" he submitted to Woodward. Ultimately, no center back was signed and one could surmise that the pair's relationship has been negatively affected by this saga. Last weekend, Mourinho applauded West Ham's transfer scout for signing Isa Diop - an act which has been widely interpreted as another dig towards Woodward. With United now having their worst ever start to a Premier League season and the disharmony in the dressing room, Mourinho's clash with Woodward certainly does not help him convince his boss that he is still the right man to salvage United's season, should the United board decide to reassess the Portuguese's position at the club anytime soon.