Top 3 players Jose Mourinho has fallen out with this season

He has always taken the ruthless approach of tough love
He has always taken the ruthless approach of tough love

Throughout his managerial career, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has not been the type of person to inspire belief and excellence in man-management skills. He has always taken the ruthless approach of tough love and criticism in order to get the best out of his players.

It is the same type of catastrophic tactics which ensured good players such as Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne never blossomed under him. These two are world class players that never stood a chance under 'The Special One'. Wherever he goes, Mourinho seems to pick fights, and gets into squabbles with some of his players.

At Manchester United, it has been more of the same script. Last season, it was Luke Shaw who was constantly 'paraded' before the media because of underperforming. This season, he has taken a swing at some of his biggest star names. This has contributed to the on-field problems United are facing right now.


#3 Eric Bailly

Bailly has paid the price for not being in agreement with Mourinho
Bailly has paid the price for not being in agreement with Mourinho

The Ivorian centre back had a promising straight to his career at United, as he consistently delivered man of the match performances. Part of United's key issues this season has been defence. Why does Mourinho stick to the same combination of Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof despite the poor results?

It is quite simple really, Bailly made a comment about United's tactics that did not go down well with the manager. As a result, he has been frozen out of the starting 11. Phil Jones has proven to be the worst of United's central defenders, but he got the nod to start against Young Boys over Bailly.

Also, Mourinho has twice chosen to deploy Scott McTominay, a natural central midfielder, at centre back even though Bailly was available to him.

#2 Anthony Martial

Martial and Mourinho have not had the best of relationships
Martial and Mourinho have not had the best of relationships

Martial is probably United's in-form player at the moment. In this dark period, he has risen above the criticism to emerge as a lethal offensive player. However, he has been in Mourinho's bad book this season, and was for sometime on the sidelines.

In the pre-season, he had a falling out with Mourinho as he failed to report to training following the birth of his child. He took extended time, and this angered Mourinho. The consequence was that he was frozen out of the first team picture, and it sparked rumours of an exit in the transfer window. Only injuries and bad results forced Mourinho to give him a chance, and luckily he delivered.


#1 Paul Pogba

Pogba and Mourinho have been in opposite directions this season
Pogba and Mourinho have been in opposite directions this season

The Frenchman has been the most talked about player at United. He attracted a world record fee when he signed, he is the poster boy of Mourinho's signings, and the most criticised, due to the attention. Pogba was first substituted last season during a league match against Spurs, and this set the tone for a series of differences.

This season, Pogba took to the media and urged his teammates to play attacking football. Mourinho cracked the whip by stripping Pogba off the vice-captaincy, and Pogba has even stated that he cannot openly speak his mind for fear of further consequences.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.