Jose Mourinho | 2017/18 Assessments | Poll Added

[Mourinhonista]

If Mourinho has to get the sack, what about Klopp, Pochettino, Conte who are all behind Mourinho in the league. Some of them are called amazing attacking coaches and youth lovers, still the game has evolved and left Mourinho behind, something isn't right here.

Truth is the league is so competitive at the moment, that apart from City who are backed by a whole country to put things into perspective, anyone can beat anyone. Benitez is no pushover, losing one game isn't the end of the world.

We'll recover and go again. The season so far remains a good one. People need to calm down a bit.

 

[diplomat]

If Mourinho has to get the sack, what about Klopp, Pochettino, Conte who are all behind Mourinho in the league. Some of them are called amazing attacking coaches and youth lovers, still the game has evolved and left Mourinho behind, something isn't right here.

Truth is the league is so competitive at the moment, that apart from City who are backed by a whole country to put things into perspective, everybody can beat anybody. Benitez is no pushover, losing one game isn't the end of the world.

We'll recover and go again. The season so far remains a good one. People need to calm down a bit.

Considering the fact that only City rivals our yearly budget, we are definitely underachieving. Newcastle have been horrendous for a long time and it was their first home victory in the last 4 months. Those types of games are a must-win for Manchester United, if we really want to get back to where we used to be.

 

[Mourinhonista]

Considering the fact that only City rivals our yearly budget, we are definitely underachieving. Newcastle have been horrendous for a long time and it was their first home victory in the last 4 months. Those types of games are a must-win for Manchester United, if we really want to get back to where we used to be.

Still, Manchester United are second in the league and still in the CL and FA Cup.

From time to time David beats Goliath, but in the long run Goliath is who he is. The gap to City could be smaller, but 18 teams have been worse than us this season, that has to count for something.

 

[Rajma]

If Mourinho has to get the sack, what about Klopp, Pochettino, Conte who are all behind Mourinho in the league. Some of them are called amazing attacking coaches and youth lovers, still the game has evolved and left Mourinho behind, something isn't right here.

Truth is the league is so competitive at the moment, that apart from City who are backed by a whole country to put things into perspective, anyone can beat anyone. Benitez is no pushover, losing one game isn't the end of the world.

We'll recover and go again. The season so far remains a good one. People need to calm down a bit.

Conte won the league last yeat and still he’s about to get sacked.

Klopp have Liverpool playing good football by now and operates on much smaller Budget to Jose, same applies to Poch. None of these teams spent anything relatively close to us and City, not really a level playing field in that sense, hence comparisons are somehow flawed imo.

Jose should be given more time if we make top 4, otherwise that would be monumental failure.

 

[diplomat]

Still, Manchester United are second in the league and still in the CL and FA Cup.

From time to time David beats Goliath, but in the long run Goliath is who he is. The gap to City could be smaller, but 18 teams have been worse than us this season, that has to count for something.

What do you consider being worse? The season isn't over yet and we have some tough games left to play, which might see us drop out of the top 4.

 

[Cassidy]

IMO he needs to come second or questions need to be asked. He probably should keep his job if we come 4th but the season would have to be seen as a failure without securing a cup.

He can always use the excuse of the City money for not winning the title, but thats only if we come in second.

I think he has done a great job in stabilising us from the mess we were in, and also upgrading the quality of the squad. However we really need to kick on and start playing as a team especially in the final third.

 

[Mourinhonista]

Conte won the league last yeat and still he’s about to get sacked.

Klopp have Liverpool playing good football by now and operates on much smaller Budget to Jose, same applies to Poch. None of these teams spent anything relatively close to us and City, not really a level playing field in that sense, hence comparisons are somehow flawed imo.

Jose should be given more time if we make top 4, otherwise that would be monumental failure.

Of course would be missing out on CL next season count as a massive failure, but so far we're sitting pretty in the table and people need to get a grip.

Chelsea have sacked their most successful manager twice, can't take them seriously when it comes down to doing things the smart way.

Klopp doesn't win a pot to piss in, of course he's a top coach, but definitely worse than Mourinho. Mourinho doesn't lose the EL final when it really matters.

Pochettino hit the jackpot with Kane and Alli. Similarly to Chelsea with Terry and Lampard.

Wherever Mourinho went, he always delivered, so let the man work!

 

[Mourinhonista]

What do you consider being worse? The season isn't over yet and we have some tough games left to play, which might see us drop out of the top 4.

Football isn't mathematics, meaning losing away to Newcastle doesn't equate to losing at home to Chelsea/Scouse.

We'll get points in the next games, as we did this season against Arse or last season against Chelsea. Everbody will be wanking themselves off, rinse and repeat. We always have a chance with Mourinho, his C.V. shows that.

 

[walkinhop]

Of course would be missing out on CL next season count as a massive failure, but so far we're sitting pretty in the table and people need to get a grip.

Chelsea have sacked their most successful manager twice, can't take them seriously when it comes down to doing things the smart way.

Klopp doesn't win a pot to piss in, of course he's a top coach, but definitely worse than Mourinho. Mourinho doesn't lose the EL final when it really matters.

Pochettino hit the jackpot with Kane and Alli. Similarly to Chelsea with Terry and Lampard.

Wherever Mourinho went, he always delivered, so let the man work!

Plenty of excuses to mask the reality of losing horribly to Tottenham in one of the worst performances in recent years, the reality of losing to a Newcastle team with the same badly thought out tactics as the aforementioned Spurs game.
Nobody sensible argues that progress has been made, the question is how far can he take us. So far, he hasn't really delivered much. The trophies last season were mere snacks for a club like United and the only 2 that matter are the PL and the CL. Add the fact that he's had enough windows to form his own squad and the result is, at least for me, obvious. He's been average for a club like us.

 

[walkinhop]

Football isn't mathematics, meaning losing away to Newcastle doesn't equate to losing at home to Chelsea/Scouse.

We'll get points in the next games, as we did this season against Arse or last season against Chelsea. Everbody will be wanking themselves off, rinse and repeat. We always have a chance with Mourinho, his C.V. shows that.

Oh, the irony. In the same post you say losing away to Newcastle doesn't equate losing at home to Chelsea but having victories in the past equates success in the present/future. Gosh.

 

[TheRedDevil'sAdvocate]

If Mourinho has to get the sack, what about Klopp, Pochettino, Conte who are all behind Mourinho in the league. Some of them are called amazing attacking coaches and youth lovers, still the game has evolved and left Mourinho behind, something isn't right here.

Truth is the league is so competitive at the moment, that apart from City who are backed by a whole country to put things into perspective, anyone can beat anyone. Benitez is no pushover, losing one game isn't the end of the world.

We'll recover and go again. The season so far remains a good one. People need to calm down a bit.

Nobody expects from Klopp and Pochettino to win the league, that's the difference. And Conte still manages the reigning champions of England and he has Abramovic to work with who isn't known for his everlasting faith in the managers he hires.

All three are getting too much leeway because they're judged for the work they are producing in the environment they're working and rightly so. But it's when some people start drawing parallels that things usually get lost in translation. Managing United is very different to managing Spurs, Liverpool (of 2018), or the likes of Dortmund and Monaco. The expectations are much higher and you don't get a free pass for simply playing youngsters or for dropping points left, right and centre while you're playing beautiful football. I assure you that the same people who want a managerial change right now will be the first who will jump on the next manager's back if we're out of the top-four but with the best attack in the league.

Having said that, the only manager with whom Mourinho should be compared with is so far ahead of him that he can't even spot him in his rearview mirror. And that's the only comparison Mourinho should care about.

 

[Mourinhonista]

Plenty of excuses to mask the reality of losing horribly to Tottenham in one of the worst performances in recent years, the reality of losing to a Newcastle team with the same badly thought out tactics as the aforementioned Spurs game.
Nobody sensible argues that progress has been made, the question is how far can he take us. So far, he hasn't really delivered much. The trophies last season were mere snacks for a club like United and the only 2 that matter are the PL and the CL. Add the fact that he's had enough windows to form his own squad and the result is, at least for me, obvious. He's been average for a club like us.

He's better than both Van Gaal and Moyes. The league table doesn't lie, second best team in the country so far.

Losing away to Tottenham isn't the end of the world, even the current European Champions had problems there.

Chelsea lost to two minnows in a row, Pool played poorly against Swansea, at least Benitez isn't one off the bottle.

We're slowly getting there, can't think of a better man than Mourinho atm.

 

[walkinhop]

He's better than both Van Gaal and Moyes. The league table doesn't lie, second best team in the country so far.

Losing away to Tottenham isn't the end of the world, even the current European Champions had problems there.

Chelsea lost to two minnows in a row, Pool played poorly against Swansea, at least Benitez isn't one off the bottle.

We're slowly getting there, can't think of a better man than Mourinho atm.

You keep going with the excuses. I couldn't care less what others have failed at. I look at us and the manner with which we lose, i see the stubborn tactical choices, i see subs without impact. I see more focus on the famous CV. I haven't seen how we've become better over the last 2 seasons other than we've thrown more money at it.

 

[Mourinhonista]

Oh, the irony. In the same post you say losing away to Newcastle doesn't equate losing at home to Chelsea but having victories in the past equates success in the present/future. Gosh.

Maybe we'll lose, maybe not. But each game is different and this time we're playing at home. Last season Chelsea were a much better side than this version and we still took them out. There's no reason why we should piss our pants atm.

 

[walkinhop]

Maybe we'll lose, maybe not. But each game is different and this time we're playing at home. Last season Chelsea were a much better side than this version and we still took them out. There's no reason why we should piss our pants atm.

You keep ignoring what i'm trying to say. I'm going to move on now.

 

[Mourinhonista]

You keep going with the excuses. I couldn't care less what others have failed at. I look at us and the manner with which we lose, i see the stubborn tactical choices, i see subs without impact. I see more focus on the famous CV. I haven't seen how we've become better over the last 2 seasons other than we've thrown more money at it.

Of course there's been huge progress, playing a whole season is a marathon, not a sprint.
Look at the goals, the mood, the new guys plenty to be happy about in the last two years.

There have been subs who impacted the match, but no one can do it all the time.

 

[diplomat]

Football isn't mathematics, meaning losing away to Newcastle doesn't equate to losing at home to Chelsea/Scouse.

We'll get points in the next games, as we did this season against Arse or last season against Chelsea. Everbody will be wanking themselves off, rinse and repeat. We always have a chance with Mourinho, his C.V. shows that.

For our sake, I hope you are right, but the way we play, especially against the top sides, it doesn't sit well with me and it doesn't inspire me with much confidence that we will finish as a strong 2nd placed team in the league.

Right now, we have found ourselves in another battle for a top 4 spot due to losing 2 away games in a really bad fashion. And the title challenge has been gone since the defeat to City. I wouldn't call any of this a good season, unless we do finish 2nd with a defined style of football and winning the FA cup. For all the talk of Mourinho being a serial winner and delivering everywhere he works, having such an underwhelming second season, considering the budget we have, and not winning any trophy, that would be a disaster.

 

[Cheesy]

He's better than both Van Gaal and Moyes. The league table doesn't lie, second best team in the country so far.

Losing away to Tottenham isn't the end of the world, even the current European Champions had problems there.

Chelsea lost to two minnows in a row, Pool played poorly against Swansea, at least Benitez isn't one off the bottle.

We're slowly getting there, can't think of a better man than Mourinho atm.

The same European Champions who're having a poor season, are in desperate need of a rebuild, and may sack their manager if things don't improve. Similarly Chelsea will probably sack Conte due to their relatively poor year.

I think we've progressed this season but the aforementioned arguments are tenuous.

 

[Mourinhonista]

For our sake, I hope you are right, but the way we play, especially against the top sides, it doesn't sit well with me and it doesn't inspire me with much confidence that we will finish as a strong 2nd placed team in the league.

Right now, we have found ourselves in another battle for a top 4 spot due to losing 2 away games in a really bad fashion. And the title challenge has been gone since the defeat to City. I wouldn't call any of this a good season, unless we do finish 2nd with a defined style of football and winning the FA cup. For all the talk of Mourinho being a serial winner and delivering everywhere he works, having such an underwhelming second season, considering the budget we have, and not winning any trophy, that would be a disaster.

If we were to continue with the current trend, then we can start talking more about the position of the coach, but i'm indeed confident that Mourinho can figure something out. We definitely have to mix things up a little, i for one wouldn't bench Pogba, but we should play with a 3 men midfield with Herrera and Shaw has to come back in it.

The pressure is now on, we need to beat one of Chelsea or Scouse. In my opinion we don't need to win the FA Cup this season, but a strong finish in the CL and at least finishing 3th should Mourinho achieve. We finished 6th last season, top 3 is progress and therefore good, IMO.

 

[Mourinhonista]

The same European Champions who're having a poor season, are in desperate need of a rebuild, and may sack their manager if things don't improve. Similarly Chelsea will probably sack Conte due to their relatively poor year.

I think we've progressed this season but the aforementioned arguments are tenuous.

You can only beat what's in front of you. Sure, another tedius argument, but in my opinion Spurs did really well and it's not impossible for Madrid to win against PSG.

If you sack the coach you'll always start from the beginning, so far i don't think it's necessary for United to do that.

 

[Sky1981]

You keep going with the excuses. I couldn't care less what others have failed at. I look at us and the manner with which we lose, i see the stubborn tactical choices, i see subs without impact. I see more focus on the famous CV. I haven't seen how we've become better over the last 2 seasons other than we've thrown more money at it.

You can say this on saf barren years, pep last year, klopp last year, simeone in his final defeat, infact you can say this about any manager on their bad year.

 

[walkinhop]

You can say this on saf barren years, pep last year, klopp last year, simeone in his final defeat, infact you can say this about any manager on their bad year.

Yeah, Pep is having a mare second season. SAF should stay away from comparisons as his case is quite unique. Klopp is at Liverpool who last won the... The example of Simeone is also strange as you are focusing on a final of all things? Not to mention he is competing against Barca and Real. In fact i'm talking about Mourinho's second year and not his "bad" year.

The more i look at it the harder i find it to see what aspect of our game has been steadily improving. Defense is hit and miss, we don't dominate games, attack relies on individual skill. Again, i don't care about other managers and their bad years. I care about us becoming better, improving. And i don't want to hear about the great improvement over the last 2 managers. Being better than 2 piles of crap doesn't make you holly.

 

[shabadu84]

It seemed like the team was starting to come together a bit just before the Sanchez transfer. His addition seems to have thrown off the balance a bit though I think we're also seeing a team that is a step or two short of putting it together at times. Some of that will improve with time and familiarity but Mourinho seems to not always have the same control over the team that he used to. The next month is do or die and unfortunately it feels like the wheels are coming off at the wrong time.

 

[Sky1981]

Yeah, Pep is having a mare second season. SAF should stay away from comparisons as his case is quite unique. Klopp is at Liverpool who last won the... The example of Simeone is also strange as you are focusing on a final of all things? Not to mention he is competing against Barca and Real. In fact i'm talking about Mourinho's second year and not his "bad" year.

The more i look at it the harder i find it to see what aspect of our game has been steadily improving. Defense is hit and miss, we don't dominate games, attack relies on individual skill. Again, i don't care about other managers and their bad years. I care about us becoming better, improving. And i don't want to hear about the great improvement over the last 2 managers. Being better than 2 piles of crap doesn't make you holly.

If 2nd is not improvement then what do you expect realistically?

 

[Hugh Jass]

If Mourinho has to get the sack, what about Klopp, Pochettino, Conte who are all behind Mourinho in the league. Some of them are called amazing attacking coaches and youth lovers, still the game has evolved and left Mourinho behind, something isn't right here.

Truth is the league is so competitive at the moment, that apart from City who are backed by a whole country to put things into perspective, anyone can beat anyone. Benitez is no pushover, losing one game isn't the end of the world.

We'll recover and go again. The season so far remains a good one. People need to calm down a bit.

This.

 

[Kapardin]

If we were to continue with the current trend, then we can start talking more about the position of the coach, but i'm indeed confident that Mourinho can figure something out. We definitely have to mix things up a little, i for one wouldn't bench Pogba, but we should play with a 3 men midfield with Herrera and Shaw has to come back in it.

The pressure is now on, we need to beat one of Chelsea or Scouse. In my opinion we don't need to win the FA Cup this season, but a strong finish in the CL and at least finishing 3th should Mourinho achieve. We finished 6th last season, top 3 is progress and therefore good, IMO.

Forget 3th, will we atleast finish 4rd?

 

[walkinhop]

If 2nd is not improvement then what do you expect realistically?

There is a flaw in the position argument. It's not permanent. Talk to me in the end of the season if we're still second I will tell you that I'm temporary satisfied.
We are, however, having this conversation now. Now, I see issues with our play and a lot of them stem from team-wide decisions. Dropped points here and there thanks to individual mistakes is one thing, lack of fluidity in the whole squad is another.

To simplify, I'm just concerned. I don't really want Mourinho gone, i don't have anything against him apart from his style. Trophies matter the most to me and last year's successes gave us something to cheer for the time being. I still fail to spot an organized team with an idea for the matches. I praised Jose when he outsmarted Chelsea with Herrera but those masterclasses have been scarce. We've had some really uninspiring performances this season and the matches against the top 6 have been worrying too.

Yes, we are second and hopefully will remain there. I just wish there was more obvious progression on the pitch and team coherence.

 

[TheReligion]

If Mourinho has to get the sack, what about Klopp, Pochettino, Conte who are all behind Mourinho in the league. Some of them are called amazing attacking coaches and youth lovers, still the game has evolved and left Mourinho behind, something isn't right here.

Truth is the league is so competitive at the moment, that apart from City who are backed by a whole country to put things into perspective, anyone can beat anyone. Benitez is no pushover, losing one game isn't the end of the world.

We'll recover and go again. The season so far remains a good one. People need to calm down a bit.

You need a medal.

 

[Cee90]

At this stage, I guess one of the good things is that Sanchez will have a few months to try and properly fit into our team and we can expirement to see what works and what doesn't.

It's far better this happens now as City have won the title already and we're not realistically going to challenge for the Champions League this year anyway.

I think Jose will get it right eventually, so I'm going to just wait and see how we develop throughout the rest of the season.

There is a lot of work to do though.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

What I don't get is that apart from De Gea, literally none of our best players are playing in their best positions

Sanchez is often hugging the touch line. No.
Pogba is Defensive Midfield. No.
Martial on the right. No.
Smalling on the football pitch. No.

Just play 433 with Sanchez close to the middle and Pogba attacking midfield. It's not rocket science!

 

[BigdaftGorby]

We're 2nd. That means we're tactically better than the other 17.

Just to point something out, we are second because of De Gea, before the game at Newcastle he saved 84% of shots on goal. Is that down to Jose’s tactics?

We conced the 6th most shots on goal!!! I guess that’s a Jose tactic as well?

We have some of the best individual talent in the world, Pogba being one of them. But let’s play him really deep so as not to create anything then take him off when he can’t supply assists from behind his own half way line, you know that line we sit on when the opposition get the ball? Suppose that’s Jose’s tactics as well?

I’m not even going to bother apologising for patronising you.
It’s the least you deserve for the last few posts you have made.

 

[walkinhop]

Just to point something out, we are second because of De Gea, before the game at Newcastle he saved 84% of shots on goal. Is that down to Jose’s tactics?

We conced the 6th most shots on goal!!! I guess that’s a Jose tactic as well?

We have some of the best individual talent in the world, Pogba being one of them. But let’s play him really deep so as not to create anything then take him off when he can’t supply assists from behind his own half way line, you know that line we sit on when the opposition get the ball? Suppose that’s Jose’s tactics as well?

I’m not even going to bother apologising for patronising you.
It’s the least you deserve for the last few posts you have made.

You deserve a medal

 

[Jazz]

If he would just show some indication that he's willing to evolve and adapt his philosophy (whatever that may be), I would be very happy.
He could start by playing the players in their proper positions, and setting up in a way to enhance the players' strengths.

At the moment he seems to be getting some masochistic satisfaction out of seeing the team bumble around, whilst pining for the love of his life, Fellaini

Seriously, he has to change otherwise it doesn't matter if he's at United or he goes somewhere else, the game has moved on and he needs to as well.

 

[BigdaftGorby]

You deserve a medal

Not sure how to take that? no white text?

 

[R'hllor]

Why people keep mentioning 2nd place?! What the feck us being 2nd has anything to do with issues people have?

 

[walkinhop]

Not sure how to take that? no white text?

Not at all. I've been trying to share my concerns, without actually shouting for Mourinho's head, yet all i get is "we are 2nd la, we go again"

 

[serxyo]

It's sad to say that there are no improvements since our first game of the season against Real Madrid. I can't see anyone that's playing better. I can't see any tactics. Shame.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Just to point something out, we are second because of De Gea, before the game at Newcastle he saved 84% of shots on goal. Is that down to Jose’s tactics?

We conced the 6th most shots on goal!!! I guess that’s a Jose tactic as well?

We have some of the best individual talent in the world, Pogba being one of them. But let’s play him really deep so as not to create anything then take him off when he can’t supply assists from behind his own half way line, you know that line we sit on when the opposition get the ball? Suppose that’s Jose’s tactics as well?

I’m not even going to bother apologising for patronising you.
It’s the least you deserve for the last few posts you have made.

Quick look at whoscored and we're 13th which isn't ideal, but I think it's clear that defensively we do rely on our GK a little more than other top teams. To state we're second because of De Gea is a little shortsighted and belittles the good work we've done up front. He's played his part but so have the others which is why we're still ahead of the chasing pack. It is a team game, after all.

12 Crystal Palace 11.8 17.6 14.1 11.4 1.5 6.75
13 Manchester United 11.7 14.3 11.9 11.5 2.1 7.00
14 Watford 11.4 17.4 12.5 11.8 1.8 6.70
15 Huddersfield 11.4 19.1 13.4 11.1 1.8 6.58
16 Arsenal 10.7 16.4 11.7 10.2 2.7 6.92

Interestingly, if you were to take out that fanatical game against Arsenal, we'd be on 10.8 per game and to compare those to previous seasons:

9.5 last season
10.8 in 15/16
10.1 14/15.

We're not that far from these seasons. I think it's clear that our CBs aren't as strong as you'd want them to be.

 

[diplomat]

Quick look at whoscored and we're 13th which isn't ideal, but I think it's clear that defensively we do rely on our GK a little more than other top teams. To state we're second because of De Gea is a little shortsighted and belittles the good work we've done up front. He's played his part but so have the others which is why we're still ahead of the chasing pack. It is a team game, after all.

12 Crystal Palace 11.8 17.6 14.1 11.4 1.5 6.75
13 Manchester United 11.7 14.3 11.9 11.5 2.1 7.00
14 Watford 11.4 17.4 12.5 11.8 1.8 6.70
15 Huddersfield 11.4 19.1 13.4 11.1 1.8 6.58
16 Arsenal 10.7 16.4 11.7 10.2 2.7 6.92

Interestingly, if you were to take out that fanatical game against Arsenal, we'd be on 10.8 per game and to compare those to previous seasons:

9.5 last season
10.8 in 15/16
10.1 14/15.

We're not that far from these seasons. I think it's clear that our CBs aren't as strong as you'd want them to be.

Considering we play much more defensively than Arsenal, it doesn't look good for us to consistently concede more shots on goal than them. It also goes against the idea that Mourinho is an expert in defensive coaching and organisation.

De Gea is also joint 2nd in most saves made this season so it actually seems we are worse in defense than last season but we are more clinical and we don't draw as many games anymore.

 

[Garethw]

If he would just show some indication that he's willing to evolve and adapt his philosophy (whatever that may be), I would be very happy.
He could start by playing the players in their proper positions, and setting up in a way to enhance the players' strengths.

At the moment he seems to be getting some masochistic satisfaction out of seeing the team bumble around, whilst pining for the love of his life, Fellaini

Seriously, he has to change otherwise it doesn't matter if he's at United or he goes somewhere else, the game has moved on and he needs to as well.

Couldn’t have said it better myself mate. I want him to succeed here, but his stubborn insistence on sticking with a system that doesn’t work is like a dozen fecking slaps to the ball sack-painful!