Manchester United might have parted company with Louis Van Gaal in the summer for his failure to make the top four despite winning the club’s first FA Cup since 2004 and their first major trophy in the post-Ferguson era. In his place came former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho who was sacked seven months after winning the Premier League with the London side only for the same side to lie 15th by December.
Mourinho did not waste time, spending over £150 million on new signings Eric Bailly (Villarreal), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG ) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan ( Borussia Dortmund). Under Mourinho, results haven’t been what was expected with the Portuguese recording the highest number of draws in the league (6) after 17 games at the same time lying 6th in the table and struggling with a goal difference of 7 which is poor by their standards considering 5th placed Tottenham are on a goal difference of 17 as well as Arsenal who have a goal difference of 19 (4th In the table). That is not all as United are also 13 points adrift of Mourinho’s former team Chelsea who are topping the league as well as the only team to beat United with a four goal margin this season (4-0 at Stamford Bridge). To decipher the point most of Mourinho’s critics have made it is important to take note of the Portuguese statements after taking over in the summer, “I would never be able to work without success. This is my nature. To finish fourth is not the aim. I want everything, I want to play matches well, score goals, play young players and I don’t want to concede goal,” were all Mourinho’s statement. Judging from United’s style this season, the Old Trafford side do score lots of goals at the same time playing entertaining football unlike his time in Chelsea yet the same cannot be said of their ability to hold on to the lead and maintain a clean sheet. So what was the reason behind the sacking of Van Gaal who finished 5th for a new manager who is presently 6th after spending expensive players to supplement Van Gaal’s squad?
On another note, Mourinho should be praised for raising United’s game of recent considering his team were 10 points adrift of 4th place on 3 December only to reduce it to four points as of present having won three games in a row against 5th placed Spurs, 17th placed Crystal Palace and 7th placed West Brom. Also worthy of mention is that it appears Mourinho has been successful in bringing out the best in most of the players who struggled under both David Moyes and Van Gaal. To illustrate further, Marcus Rojo and Phil Jones have been a solid pairing of recent having marshalled the defence and playing like they have been world class defenders since joining United. It is important to note that both players are 3rd and 4th placed in the ranking with Bailly and Chris Smalling first choice defenders and regular starter. At 35, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is already on 10 goals, two behind Diego Costa who is the highest league goalscorer.
Another point worthy of mention is that United look more threatening when in possession, playing a fast and direct style compared to the dull conservative football played under Van Gaal which show United boss possession yet unable to hurt their opponents. United have also learnt to play to their individual strengths with the likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Ibrahimovic all producing masterclass displays in most games.
Though results haven’t been what was expected, It must be noted that Mourinho needs time to instil his style and tactics as anything other than that might be counter-productive in the short-time.
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