Jose Mourinho’s record-breaking spending spree earlier this year has put Manchester United right at the top of the list with most expensive squads in Europe. However, many stars at the club have not been able to keep up the good form from early in the season and the manager will know that he needs things to change quickly to keep up with the title race at the top of the table. The Red Devils are fresh from a stalemate against Stoke City at the Old Trafford and will be playing their nemesis in Liverpool after the international break. Mourinho will have to get the best out of his side to get anything from Anfield and here are three players who need to step up to help his manager:
Wayne Rooney:
The skipper of the side, Wayne Rooney has not been at his best for some time now and has made a poor start to the new campaign. He had to be dropped in the last couple of league games and is turning into a weak link in the squad. He is still one of the best players in Europe but is disastrously low on confidence. The International break that saw him start on the bench will only make things worse but the Manchester United man has what it takes to turn things around and Mourinho will hope that he will step up for his side after the international break
Paul Pogba:
The world record signings for Manchester United, Paul Pogba, has not really been able to carry his form into the Premier League from Italy. He has been decent in a couple of outings but is a long way from adjusting to the manager’s style of play at the club. After the busy start to the season, the international break might be what Pogba needed to re-invent himself and if he can get back to his best, there are very few players in Europe that come close to him. Surely, Mourinho will hope that his investments bear fruit after the break.
Jesse Lingard:
Though not a European star, Lingard has managed to get a place in the starting line-up at the club consistently now and though Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s injury has something to do with it, the 24-year old has not been able to impress enough early this season. Mkhitaryan is not too long away from full fitness but he might also take time to adjust to the league leaving Lingard as the only option for the manager. Mourinho will know that the 23-year old can turn out to be a match winner but he will want some consistency to stick with him.