This blog is going to take a slightly different tone to what I was going to write after reading that Manchester United are set to offer Mourinho a new contract, but I believe most of this still holds some truth.
It's fair to say that, despite a strong start to the season, Manchester United have struggled for form in recent weeks. Many United fans don't seem to approve of Mourinho's defensive attitude; as it comes across as very anti-United compared to the way United played during the many years of Sir Alex.
As I said to several people post that City defeat at Old Trafford, United have struggled to cope with the fact that the title may have already gone. They don't seem to know how to deal with having to play as complete underdogs.
What has frustrated me this season with Man. United - which is odd to say as a Liverpool fan - is simply that I believe they have cheated us out of a decent title race.
If you look at the players Mourinho has signed as United manager, four have been very attacking, skilled players - Pogba, Lukaku, Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic, - and just two defenders - you could argue that Matic falls somewhat into both categories. My question is this... If he insists on signing these wonderful forward players, why does he continue to have a defensive approach to his games.
Paul Pogba is one of the most gifted players in the world with the ball at his feet, and thrives when he is near the opposition box. But Mourinho would much rather he sit on the edge of his own box defending for 90 minutes.
United played Liverpool earlier this season at Anfield in the midst of a poor run of form for the red-half of Merseyside. The game finished 0-0 as Liverpool struggled to get their usually threatening attack going and United decided to settle for a point. If United had the tiniest bit of ambition, they could have torn Liverpool's defence apart. Instead, we are going to have to spend the rest of the season watch United sit back against anyone that may cause them the slightest threat.
Look at Liverpool at the weekend. Liverpool decided to take the game to Manchester City, instead of sitting back like most teams have done. United have the players at their disposal who are more than capable of playing this style, but Mourinho's fear of losing seems to dominate his thinking.
There was a time when Mourinho was THE manager in the Premier League. The current state of Premier League managers sees Mourinho one a few who could argue a case for being up there with the best in the world. Guardiola. Klopp. Conte. Pochettino. Even Wenger can be argued for. Mourinho is no longer 'The Special One'. He is part of a 'Special Bunch' and he may even be lower down on that list.
He isn't able to just spend big money on players and problems be solved. And he doesn't seem to be able to work with and develop players like his counterparts Pep and Klopp can. At this point, Mourinho seems to have been found out.
I was going to argue that it was becoming clear that Mourinho was going to leave in the summer, until the news I mentioned earlier came through. They don't seem like they're going to spend much money this January, Sanchez on the cheap seems to be the only possibility, but this isn't even in an area they need to strengthen. It's just another big name signing that Mourinho is completing for no other reason than to 'maybe' keep the fans happy.
What are your thoughts on Mourinho's managerial reputation? Share and comment.
You can read my other blogs at ScriptEye and I Can't Write Words here.
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