Having won their first 3 Premier League games under Jose Mourinho, Manchester United were expected to push on to even better things but it hasn’t quite worked out that way. It seems as if they have taken their foot off the gas slightly and the unforgiving nature of the Premier League certainly doesn’t give any room for complacency or mediocre performances.
They started off with a blitz which saw them win three games on the bounce against Bournemouth, Southampton and Hull City. The next game saw them outplayed at home by rivals Manchester City in the Manchester Derby which they lost 2-1 thanks a non-existent first half performance. They were flat and didn’t look like they were going to cause their Manchester Counterparts any problems. That bad form continued in their Europa League opener which they lost 1-0 to Feyenoord. This was followed by a 3-1 Premier League loss to Watford, another game in which they looked flat and failed to impose themselves. In the next game, United faced a daunting task of facing last year’s champions, Leicester, albeit a Leicester team that no longer play like they did last season. But to everyone’s surprise, they ran out 4-1 winners, dominating and scoring all their goals in the first half. The next league game saw them throw away yet another opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them as they drew 1-1 with Stoke as Martial’s opener was
The next league game saw them throw away yet another opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them as they drew 1-1 with Stoke as Martial’s opener was canceled by Joe Allen’s late goal. Mourinho will definitely be disappointed and here are 5 things he can do to rectify the minor problems that his United team are facing at the moment.
Shore up the defence
Mourinho’s teams have always prided themselves on being defensively solid and well-organised. So far his United team has leaked unnecessary goals and this is something he should look to change. Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling should continue as the two center backs. Daley blind has played at both center back and left back this term and although that’s a major pointer at his versatility, there should be some kind of stability in the way the team sets itself up.
Luke Shaw should play at left back although he was openly criticized for one of the goals they conceded against Watford. Antonio Valencia should definitely be replaced with a conventional right back. The Ecuadorian might be wonderful going forward but defensively he cannot be relied upon and someone like Matteo Darmian, who is no muck and an Italy international should be brought back into the fold in order to give the Man United defence a more solid look
Avoid public criticism of players
As was previously mentioned, Luke Shaw was publicly criticized for the role he played in conceding a Watford goal scored by Zuniga. Mourinho should look to avoid a repetition of this incident as it can have a detrimental effect on players especially on young players such as Luke Shaw who are still learning their way through the game. Mourinho has always publicly criticized his players and in the past, at some of his previous clubs, this has led to severe dip in form for those players and it’s not something that he’d like to repeat at United
Drop Fellaini indefinitely
One thing that has become clear in the opening few weeks of the season is that Fellaini no longer belongs at Man United and playing him alongside world record signing Paul Pogba is surely a comical mistake that Mourinho must avoid. In the games that he has started, the Belgian has looked leggy and failed to impose himself on the proceedings. He did not provide enough cover for the back four, neither did he have a say on the attacking side of things. Playing him next to Pogba restricts Pogba’s influence on games and Mourinho must sooner or later realize this and continue deploying Ander Herrera, who has started the last 2 games in midfield alongside the French midfield genius.
Build the team around Pogba
Certainly the weight of expectations on Pogba’s shoulders is not something that is very easy to dismiss. But the Frenchman has done quite well for himself. Exquisite passing, link-up play and physical prowess is something that we have seen in his game so far this season. There is also a hint of unpredictability about Paul Pogba and Mourinho should look to make use of Pogba’s talents in order to get the team firing on all cylinders again. Mourinho must build the team around him and structure his team in such a way that Pogba being in it has more of an influence on games. He has found himself in amazing positions in some of the games but has been unable to apply the finishing touches. His one goal so far this season came in the 4-1 thrashing of Leicester City.
Continue to pick in-form players over seasoned pros who are no longer at their peak
Mourinho’s decision to start Rashford has been vindicated as the pacey front man has added something new to Man United’s attack. Dropping Rooney has worked out really well for Mourinho as his front line has looked more explosive and potent with Lingard and Rashford running down the wings and Ibrahimovic being the focal point. Juan Mata in the hole or number 10 position hasn’t done too badly for himself. Ander Herrera should continue playing next to Pogba as it will bring the best out of the Frenchman.