However, after he was sacked last time out Chelsea,
following a disappointing defence of the title they won three seasons ago, the Portuguese
methods have been questioned in some quarters this season following the club's
inconsistent performances in the league.
The club's history which is known for the brand of attacking
and exhilarating football built from the Matt Busby era and perfected by Alex
Ferguson has been missing all too frequently this season.
Manchester United have drawn more matches at home this
season in the league than any other team. A little more attacking flair would
have translated most of those draws to wins, which would have seen them fighting
for the title instead of the battling for a top four finish.
By any club's standard, winning a trophy is considered a
successful season, but the standards in which Manchester United are judged is different
from most clubs, because of its size and following. Yet the size of a club has
never been suddenly become a birthright of automatic success.
The club has never been lacking in ambition, going by the
huge sums it has spent in the transfer market in recent seasons. The record
signing of Paul Pogba was a testament to that ambition. But the French international
has largely been underwhelming in his first season back at Old Trafford. Rather
it is the Bosman signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic that has become a success this
season.
The Swede has shown that age is not a barrier to his
abilities, and he is well on his way to thirty goals this season. A remarkable
achievement when that happens.
He was the difference between the league cup win against
Southampton in February. As they were largely second best to the Saints at Wembley.
If he decides to call time on his stay at Old Trafford at
the end of the season, he would have proved what he can do in the English
league.
Jose Mourinho's method of antagonising and criticising his
players publicly hasn't stopped at Old Trafford. Instead he has continued the trend.
His victims have ranged from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial,
the now departed Bastian Schweinsteiger, (a player he apologised to, now in the
MLS) and Memphis Depay (now at Lyon) but he seems to pick the players he
criticises in his team, he has seldom picked on Paul Pogba despite his
inconsistent displays, rather he has praised him.
The criticism of Luke Shaw is churlish. The England
international was out for a year after he broken his leg in two places. The
player might still be feeling the effects of that nasty injury which explains
his niggling injuries.
Jose Mourinho is always quick is always quick to receive
adulation for any success of his team, whereas when the opposite is the case,
he has tended to shift the blame to the players.
Most coaches chose to have a method of sticking to in-house
criticism, while deflecting questions on a particular player.
Most coaches have evolved their methods in handling players
as well as their methods in varying tactics. But the Portuguese hasn't change
or evolve his methods on that two fronts.
He remains a defence first manager. which is not a criticism as this served him well in the past in his trophy laden managerial career. But its an approach that has
negated most of Manchester United's branding of attacking football built on
over the years. Take Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of the United team, and they would struggle
to score goals as the Swede has accounted for most of the goals scored this
season.
His team has struggled to develop steam in terms of
adequately controlling a game especially by possession. Most are long passes,
and others lack incisiveness. It’s more a reliance of moments of brilliance rather
than an assured display of flowing football. And most of those moments have
come of Zlatan Ibrahimovic .
Manchester United are well known for developing and using
young players for achieving it aims. It’s a tradition they are proud of. Alex Ferguson's
core players all came through the club's youth system.
Whereas, Jose Mourinho has seldom have a track record for
developing young players, rather he has always shown a preference for signing
big players. In spite his several protestation to the contrary, the records are
clear.
Manchester United's greatest find of season Marcus Rashford
has failed to hit the heights of last season. He was arguably the find of last
season, but he has failed to kick on from what was a huge season for the 18
year old. Instead, he has struggled this season largely due to how he has been
managed by the Portuguese.
Jose Mourinho's methods could still be vindicated. In spite
of the league cup trophy in the cabinet, it could still end as an outstanding
success if he adds the Europa league to the league cup, it would mean qualification
for the Champions League. In what would be resounding first season for the Portuguese.
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