United old boys accept Mourinho tactics

By Daily Sports on October 19, 2016

Former Manchester United players have queued up to pass judgment on their old team under Jose Mourinho, whose negative game plan in a disappointing 0-0 draw at Liverpool on Monday sparked a lively debate over the club's direction.

While Gary Neville predicted that United would not win the league this season, Ryan Giggs said he would accept the manner of Monday's performance in which they had just 35 percent possession, the lowest in any of their games since statistics were first collected in 2003.

Although, bizarrely, Mourinho disputed that figure - insisting United had in fact enjoyed 42 percent possession at Anfield - he also said it reflected his masterplan to control the game.

Mourinho may find it harder to explain away another new low, however, because United's tally of 14 points from eight games represents the Portuguese coach's worst start to a campaign in 15 years.

That total is also two points worse than United managed under Louis van Gaal at the same stage last year and is probably not what the club had in mind when they spent £145 million on his recommendations in the summer.

Another former United player, Ray Wilkins, said the pressure of expectation on Mourinho is relentless. "He has to keep winning while changing the side," Wilkins told Sky Sports. "It is not always easy when you are trying to establish yourself at a huge club. But he will be delighted by that point."

Mourinho has not been helped by the limited impact made by record signing Paul Pogba, who had another quiet game at Anfield, and Henrikh Mikhitaryan, who once again did not make the team as Mourinho opted for the strength and solidity of Marouane Fellaini.

Apart from one half against Leicester City, in which he scored his only goal for United, Pogba has struggled to justify his world-record fee, and Mourinho still seems unsure how to employ him.

On Monday it was another United midfielder, Ander Herrera, who won man of the match for a killjoy performance that saw him prevent a far more talented player, Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, from exerting more of an influence.

That says much about how far United have fallen since the derring-do days of Alex Ferguson, whose attacking intent often led to late United winners in high-profile games.

For now, United's old guard in the media are sticking with the current manager as he seeks to shape his new team.

"There is no reason not to trust Jose Mourinho as a Manchester United fan," said Gary Neville. If he said we won't win the title this season, but next, which I think is what he said at Chelsea, I think most United fans would accept that... as long as he does win it next season."

But judgments are increasingly instant in football and, for United, the big games keep coming.

On Thursday they play Fenerbahce in the Europa League at Old Trafford, followed by a difficult Premier League trip to Mourinho's former side, Chelsea, on Sunday. "He will get a rapturous round of applause," said Wilkins, in reference to the Chelsea supporters.

United's fans might be a little more subdued. (supersport.com)

•Photo shows Jose Mourinho

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 19, 2016


 

You may also like...
Mkhitaryan: Guendouzi won me over after first Arsenal...

Ojo keen to make CHAN 2018 squad

Ighalo’s Fairytale Sojourn At Manchester United In Danger...

Akwa Utd Crash Out Of CAF Champions League,...

SOLUDO BACKS SUPER EAGLES TO WIN AFCON SEMI-FINAL...

I want to build winning Eagles —Rohr

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,141 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,991 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,931 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,878 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,288 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,332 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,035 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media