José Mourinho’s dream job had a dream start but after going three consecutive matches without a single point, undue pressure is on the Manchester United boss to perform in order to save his face, job and Manchester United’s huge pedigree.
Here are a few things he can do to get along with Old Trafford faithful again:
1. Set up a team
This season, Manchester United have fielded a team with almost the same names but without shape, cohesion and perfect understanding of themselves. There is a huge selection headache on which defensive pairing, midfield pairing, and most efficient front line to employ, and his tinkering so far underlines the fact that he may not stumble in the know on his typical Manchester United team. This is an appalling development since he managed to get all his targets before the first game of the season. The earlier he sets up his team, the better he starts to return.
2. Implement His philosophy
The last 2 seasons have seen Manchester United associated with the word “philosophy” as it looked to be one of Louis Van Gaal’s most favourite word but the truth is every manager has a philosophy and the earlier José installs his own on his current squad, the best for him. It is true that Mourinho can be said to be arguably a defensive minded manager but his team is known for scoring a lot of goals and playing with more intent unlike this Manchester United team which is competing with the ones of last season’s for the “most boring Manchester United of all times”, irrespective of the introduction of brilliant players like Pogba, Zlatan and Mkhitaryan. Let them play the Mourinho way!
3. Stop thinking about spending
Mourinho is a big spender and to stop spending will be likened to a leopard changing its spots but after spending over £150million without the desired results, Mourinho should take his mind off any form of new signings but get to help the current additions to bed into the team properly. A healthy squad like the one Manchester United boasts of shouldn’t lose to either Feyenoord or Watford, with all due respect to them. If he can’t perform with this squad, he won’t perform with FIFPro XI.
4. Drop Under performers
When your big players are grossly underperforming and you’ve got everything to lose, it is better to drop them and play the hungrier players. We can remember how Ashley Young successfully displaced Angel di Maria 2 seasons ago. This move may have a boomerang effect on the team but I believe it is nothing he can’t handle. It will also help players understand that no one is either indispensable, bigger than the team or both. Stars like Wayne Rooney, Paul Pogba, Fellaini and any other player performing below par, should be allowed to observe a few games from the bench, while people ready to play will be deployed to play and also in their best positions as playing them out of position will result to more underperformance.
5. Win Win Win
There is no better time to string up a run of wins than now, for Manchester United, starting with Northampton in the EFL cup tonight, Leicester in the league on Saturday and a Europa League victory next week. These will restore any confidence that looks dwindling as victories help confidence grow, and confidence will be needed to take the team out of the current quagmire.
No doubt, José Mourinho is a good manager and will do what he can do to get his team back to winning ways.
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