What is really going on with Jose Mourinho?
By Sam Walsh
With the turn of events at Manchester United recently, many will be wondering what the underlying problem is. The manner in which they play their game has left fans disappointed. After a disappointing loss to Manchester City, fans were hoping the Red Devils will bounce back with a win over Crystal Palace, but the reverse was the case as United saw out a goalless draw. They were lucky not to lose. Now, United have lost all hopes of catching up with the league leaders and it’s only November.
United have no desire to get rid of their hapless manager any time soon, especially not after Ryan Giggs called for United not to sack him and he doesn’t want to go either.
Now the question is: where has it all gone wrong? Well, it all boils down to one man: Jose Mourinho. If something is happening with the team, the one at the helm of affairs will be held accountable, so what is really wrong with Jose Mourinho?
Negative style of play
In Mourinho’s first season at the club, United finished outside the Champions League places, but the pain was offset by winning the Europa League and a league Cup. Losing in the FA Cup final the following season was hard to swallow but a second place finish in the Premier League gave the fans something to cheer about. Mourinho’s spell at United has been rife with disappointment for the fans.
Many thought the problem would be fixed over the summer with the quality additions to the squad. This season however, has proved to be worst of Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford. One reason for this is that there is obvious lack of attacking impulse and their defence is just too weak to mount a challenge for the Premier League title. Their defensive frailty has been there before now and it has not been worked on. This season, they have had 21 goals scored against them already.
The United squad is brimming with top talent, but Mourinho has not discovered the right system to get them united and playing as a team unit. Until he finds the system that best suits his players, United will continue to trail behind Europe’s elite clubs.
Problems in the dressing room?
Mourinho’s time at United has been rife with controversy. However, what was once overlooked when good results were produced have now become a major topic for debate. The failure on the pitch has made life more difficult for Mourinho off the pitch. The Portuguese tactician has had disagreements with most of his players at one time or another, from Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly to Phil Jones and many more. With these problems going on in the dressing room, it is no surprise that the team seem disjointed or incompatible on the field. His players have lost the motivation to play because how do you give your 100 percent for a man who will at the end belittle your effort?
