The Mourinho Thread: Should he stay or go? | Sacked

[breakout67]

Yes. Allot of people are just blinded by their desired outcome that they will go as far to ignore the fact that the game will not be an exact replica after the goal where spurs will do exactly the same and we would do exactly the same.

Had the misfortune to have lunch with a pool, spurs and Arsenal fan today and they spurs fan after talking shite but after being reminded that we can't just ignore every chance United had and talk about only the spurs chances eventually concededd the thought they were going to lose after the first half. Banter is one thing but lets get it right.

I think it was quite obvious that Lukaku scoring that open net would have tipped the game massively in our favour. Spurs were really struggling in the first half and were very susceptible to a finishing blow. It was a very Spursy performance at Old trafford where they couldnt handle the nerves.

I wouldn't say 3-0 was a fair reflection of the game to be honest, it was a game of two halves. Lukaku missed an open net, while Kane scored a very difficult header. Lukaku miskicked a cut back while Moura hit the cut back through Herrera's legs making it impossible to react to.

United created the best chances for most of the game, Spurs best chance came right at the end when Moura scored which only happened because we put almost every man forward to try to score.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I think it was quite obvious that Lukaku scoring that open net would have tipped the game massively in our favour. Spurs were really struggling in the first half and were very susceptible to a finishing blow. It was a very Spursy performance at Old trafford where they couldnt handle the nerves.

I wouldn't say 3-0 was a fair reflection of the game to be honest, it was a game of two halves. Lukaku missed an open net, while Kane scored a very difficult header. Lukaku miskicked a cut back while Moura hit the cut back through Herrera's legs making it impossible to react to.

United created the best chances for most of the game, Spurs best chance came right at the end when Moura scored which only happened because we put almost every man forward to try to score.

There you go again with your facts and reasoning!

 

[Right Arm Over]

I can understand the dissatisfaction with Mourinho, losing two games and shipping six goals. But who are are we going to get in right now who will do better? Please don't say Benitez. No way Poch will leave Spurs, Simeone will stay in Spain and Guardiola is untouchable. We should see ourselves as a top 3 European club - that is what should guide our management choices, so ONLY someone with successful PL and CL campaigns. Let's have a bit of calm, work on the post-World Cup energy levels and back a proven winner.

 

[Member 90887]

I found it amazing how the one player who Jose has belittled at every opportunity was miles ahead of everybody last night.

First half I was pleasantly surprised and thought this could go well, but every time a big chance was missed, I KNEW we would be punished for it later. I was expecting a response from Spurs, given how unhappy Poch was with their performance at HT but I never once saw what came. I wasn't even angry, just in a state of total shock.

I started to doubt Jose after the Sevilla game. Those doubts were only worsened after I went to the West Brom game. Yes I know it was a dead rubber game and the title had long since gone, but that was an absolute disgrace of a performance.

I voted Jose out on the poll and I have no regrets in doing so. It is patently obvious that he has literally no idea about how to set up his team nor does he have a clear vision. The biggest thing that irked me last night was him bringing that useless lump of shit on, instead of bringing on Rashford. When has Fellaini ever changed the game for us?

The thing that frustrates me is we were playing fantastic football at the start of last season. Something clearly went on after the City game because our football hasn't been quite the same since. Could it be the arrival of Sanchez?

I also question why he chose to play Herrera in that position? Had we won the game it would have been lauded by people but it was only to make a point to Woodward. What I don't understand is why one of the best defences in the league last season, is suddenly deemed as not fit for purpose overnight?

The players aren't blame free, neither is Woodward or the other directors. But for me, Jose won't ever change his ways, won't ever promote or back youth so I think his race has run. I think whoever comes in next will likely have the same problem too.

Should we lose to Burnley, which is a distinct possibility, we will be in the bottom 3.

It was the 'best defense' because our game plan was a defensive one, as soon as we oppened up last year we got absolutely destroyed (remember the spurs' wembley game). Same thing this year. you can understand how an Alderweireld or a Maguire would have helped in a game plan like yesterday's.

That's beyond the point anyway. Everybody knew Jose's style from the begining. Woodward included. so you either back him or sack him. there's no other way. Give him what he needs and let him work or get someone else if you do not agree with what he wants and the direction he's taking us in.

 

[RedTiger]

We constantly complain about shit boring football and not being entertained. Mourinho changed the system and tactics and it showed in the first half, but because we weren't used to that type of footie we were picked apart.

If we're going to play the type of football we saw in the first half then I'm willing to give Mourinho the time to implement it.

 

[Smores]

People wanted him out when he finished 2nd last year and it’s just a continuation of that with the added pressure of the summer and a poor start so far. It’s not as simple as you or others like to make it look by saying things like, “oh it’s a disgrace after 3 games people want him sacked” people want him sacked after the 140 or so games they’ve seen.

Yeah that's why the thread was created in the summer. Causation is very clear and your excuse isn't exactly arguing in their favour, If they wanted him sacked at the end of the last season it's even worse. Pathetic attitude

 

[OverratedOpinion]

We constantly complain about shit boring football and not being entertained. Mourinho changed the system and tactics and it showed in the first half, but because we weren't used to that type of footie we were picked apart.

If we're going to play the type of football we saw in the first half then I'm willing to give Mourinho the time to implement it.

That is one thing I have been thinking today. If he is willing to stick with that and he definitely seemed to take some pride in it then there might be a spark of hope. It will absolutely take time for such a drastic change but as long as it is moving in the right direction I would be willing to sit through a few 3-0 losses. I personally think it is not going to work out because he has never been the type of manager we need currently but he is bright and tactically astute enough to take on that long term team developing role if he commits to it.

 

[Leftback99]

Sacking him is hardly going to achieve anything at this point. I wouldn't expect anyone to come in and get top 4 with this squad over our rivals.

It is vital that we get the next appointment right in terms of how we want to play and plan for the future. We can't just sack Mourinho and rush into the first big name that's available that's how we've got into this mess mainly caused by LVG and Moyes.

Mourinho was the right appointment at the time but he has not been backed with signings as much as he would have expected.

At the same time he really hasn't helped himself with some of his decisions regarding the team. One of the first things i expected him to do was find and stick with a first choice first XI and formation, yet two years on and the selections are a lottery. Why were we experimenting with a back 3 with Herrera in it last night?

 

[Laurentiu amt]

That is one thing I have been thinking today. If he is willing to stick with that and he definitely seemed to take some pride in it then there might be a spark of hope. It will absolutely take time for such a drastic change but as long as it is moving in the right direction I would be willing to sit through a few 3-0 losses. I personally think it is not going to work out because he has never been the type of manager we need currently but he is bright and tactically astute enough to take on that long term team developing role if he commits to it.

I'm one of the ones that jumped on the Jose out bandwagon after the game. Most of us will do that in the heat of the moment, that's obvious.

The 1st half was of huge promise for the future, however, I don't understand part of his selection, that's the 1st thing that feks with my mind.(And others, like buying 2 absolutely shite center backs for 30 mil each, but let's get over this part). I'll go easy on him:

1.
- He plays Pogba on the right, basically limiting his offensive output and making it almost impossible for him to shoot at goal. IT;s hard for a right footed player to shoot from that right side CM position; Not only he plays him on the right, he plays him against Delli if I'm not mistaken a very quick and mobile player (that feked behind Pogs back the whole game)
- He plays Pogs on the right, on the side he knows he'd need to cover the worst player in our back 3/5 (Tony, and yes, he was the worst, not the CB"s)
- He plays Fred on the left, limiting his ability to shoot and go forward (Yes, it might be considered that he would support the Shaw lane better, as he's better than Pogs with the ball, but hey, he played vs Dembele at times)

At times, both Pogs and Fred were out of position because they don't normally play there and they tried to switch sides, that feked us heavily in the 2nd half in moments of defending.
Once they switched sides tho, Fred created some things on the right, Paul had some decent shite on the left.

2.
- He plays Matic after an injury. What was it going to happen in the 2nd half with a player that just came back from injury, no pre season, nothing? The guy could barely run after 30 minutes and in the 2nd half he had one of the worst performances I've seen in a United shirt. Well change the guy at half time FFS.
- You don't play with a slow shielding CM against a very good offensive team. Look at Barca when they play very attacking teams, Sergio goes up with the other midfielders and they defend in a line.
At times, Matic was trying to come out and intercept a ball, or trying to move up along the lines of Paul and Fred. When he did that, Kane dropped as a 10, Eriksen moved up and Alli did the same. Our midfield was absolutely feked because of him stepping forward in the worst timed moments

3.
- You play Ander at CB trying to have one ball playing CB.
- Who the fek plays a CM at the right side of the 3CB pairing, one the same feking time with Tony Valencia, one of our worst players when speaking about defensive tactical discipline?

4. You had the Young experiment last game, now you come with a similar player at RB, one that can't defend, can't attack if his life would depend on. What do you expect to happen on that right flank? A right flank that has Paul Pogba as cover, naturally a very bad player at defending.

I'll stop here and I won't even start about playing Lukaku against arguably the best CB pairing in the league, a player that can't feking stop a ball, can't dribble, can't head the ball, can't hold it. The only thing he can do is score those feking hard ones and cross a ball, other than that, in a system that doesn't rely on counter attacking, he's utter useless. Having a lampost upfront against 2 very technical CB's is absolute suicide. (proven by the fact that, at times, Lukaku was a ball bouncer between them)

While I agree that we lost due to a few defensive mistakes and that typing here is easier than coaching Man United, something's off with Jose. He was one of the most brilliant tacticians in the world and his teams would always turn a corner after half time. I mean, you have one CM at RCB playing bad(and yellow carded), one RB playing bad, one CF playing bad, one DCM that was barely running, well change the fecking setup at half time man.

A few years back he had balls to change anyone in the lineup that was not playing good, anyone at any given minute. He seems too soft now. He still has that nastiness about him, but not that decisive nastiness and that's just sad for a Man Utd manager.

He can still turn it around though, and even if I don't rate the guy, for the sake of the club, we should still back him. (and get rid of feking half the team in the winter/summer) . To turn it around tho, he needs to be the usual feking pest that he was back in the day and put the hammer down on these players. (it worked with Shaw, it might work with a few more)

 

[Snash93]

Just pure success was what alot of our fans wanted - for some of us; success only is a good feeling that lasts one season; but a style of play and certain types of players leads to a more long lasting type of happyness which relates to longer lasting success.

For sure Willian might have made us win an FA cup- ultimately that's not the reason I watch United. I get jelous of players like alexander arnorld coming through for Liverpool and having a great season with liverpool - although they did not win anything; the football they played made everyone feel like they were on the up - now with better players and more of an investment; they look stronger.

Buying Willian and matic and so on is Jose's style - utlimately its would not really make a difference to how we play; just even more efficient than it is. Whilst the last two games have beeen poor - i'd argue we are way too efficient in general and lack a proper attacking capability; players in a game plan/tactic that can raise above the norm when everyone cannot. Willian is not that is just another provider for Lukaku; another ex player - round and round; Jose trying to create Chelsea 3.0 at United.

Absolutely cant stand him - I don't want him to treat this club like underdogs just because thats his way of management and getting the best out of players so damn quickly.

This.

United should have an identity. Under SAF you could see he had "The United Way". The traditions of the club with exciting football, progressive football, players coming through the academy and most importantly, the strongest mentality during his tenure. All of this bought United so much success. And yet when he left, there was no identity from any of successors except perhaps LVG and his "philosophy". Jose was never going to provide that.

 

[Jacky Quacky]

If and this is massive if we play like the first half against all the other teams then i can give Mourinho time. We will create more chances and score the goals needed but please let the good style of football continue and not be the shite that was vs Brighton.

I know its sinking to Liverpool lows of style of play but we PRIDE on it. We lost 6-1 to city at home but continued to play attacking football because that's whats ingrained into the side.

If we lose against Burnley and play really well then fair enough its bad luck. However if its shit football again and we lose then i would have lost all hope is Jose.

 

[John Blund]

It's not that we're not used to it. We fecked up because for school-boy errors. Jones giving Kane too much space on a corner. You could park the bus, and that can still happen.
2nd goal was perhaps on Mourinho, as he picked Herrera as a defender. Herrera clearly doesn't know how to play an offside trap. But then again, you can't sack a manager because a £35M midfielder doesn't know how to play offside trap.
3rd goal was a nightmare as well. Smalling running back with decent control. Goes for the slide tackle, not even close to the ball. Lindelöf jogging behind, sure as hell didn't bring much support.

Lindelöf needs to go on a loan or something. He did good under the WC, it seems to be too much pressure to play for United at the moment for him.

First half we partly dominated. Fred had two or three chances. Lukaku should'a scored when he went past Lloris. He also had that weak shot on that great initiative from Shaw. Pogba had a rather good shot. On hour side, Smalling had a world class tackle on Alli when Matic fecked it up. Spurs wasn't that much better than us in the 2nd half.

 

[Mickfoley]

The summer transfer window was used as a scheme to sack Mourinho by Ed. It's pretty clear to see the way Ed briefed media about vetoing the transfers asked by Jose and then not giving him any defensive signings.
It was plotted by Ed to break Jose mentally and sack him.

 

[SapperBRed75]

I'm behind him. I'm disappointed he cannot resist an opportunity to talk about himself, the circus that comes with him and the fact that he seems intent on publicly undermining our players every now and again - but we knew all about this before we hired him. I want to see what he can do as a coach and man manager this season to address the problems we evidently have. I want: top 4, Champions League knock out stages, FA Cup Semis and above all, a system/style of playing to base a recruitment strategy upon from this point. (Not much, I know).

 

[spiriticon]

The summer transfer window was used as a scheme to sack Mourinho by Ed. It's pretty clear to see the way Ed briefed media about vetoing the transfers asked by Jose and then not giving him any defensive signings.
It was plotted by Ed to break Jose mentally and sack him.

What nonsense is this? Jose spoke out on Ed first.

 

[C3Pique]

Given last night and today to reflect on it I think he should stay. With the squad we have it's fair to say that 2nd last season was a big acheivement and he should have been given the tools needed to improve the squad further. Instead we continue to try to build a house made on a bed of Smalling and Jones. Bailly and Lindelof must have been evaluated by our scouts and approved by the board so to place the blame for their failure on Jose seems unfair, and I think why he alluded to only being a 'Head Coach' working with the players he is given by the board. Trouble is Woodward is only interested in muppet dreams (Bale, Varane) and happy to cut corners elsewhere. We all criticised the attempted Perisic transfer but watching him in the World Cup he would have been exactly what is needed, so perhaps Jose's judgement isn't so bad afterall.

I do hope that he can forget his pragmatism and just go balls out with a Martial-Lukaku-Pogba-Lingard front four and just try to outscore the opposition ala Arsenal away last year - he's almost got nothing to lose. I fear that he is just going to draw further back into his shell given how pathetic our defenders are individually and try to scrape top four again.

On balance though if he is in the running for top 4 come January he should be backed no-questions-asked by the board and we shojld really flex our financial muscle. If we're miles away at the turn of the year he should go, with the rest of the year given to a new manager to evaluate the squad ready to clearout and replace for a run at the 2019 season.

 

[Nickthepip]

So we stick with the manager because there’s nobody else out there to take over but we want new owners as there’s literally dozens of multi billionaires or resource rich nations out there waiting to meet the asking price?

 

[TMDaines]

I’ll always support the manager, but like a few others, I think it will only end up one way. I really hope Mou can address it though.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Yeah that's why the thread was created in the summer. Causation is very clear and your excuse isn't exactly arguing in their favour, If they wanted him sacked at the end of the last season it's even worse. Pathetic attitude

Because most of the previous threads got shut down and the causation is based like I said off of the 140 or so games people have watched and decided he isn’t the right fit for United it’s also not a pathetic attitude at all, he has had more than enough money and time to show progress and his ambition on the pitch and people have come to the conclusion enough is enough. I wouldn’t have said last season was a glowing endorsement of his abilities either.

 

[John Blund]

We stick with the manager, because we lost a match were we finally look decent. If Woody trusted Mourinhos judgement, we'd also have a better defender this season.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

We have enough quality players to challenge the league.

• Our keeper is world class
• Our midfield (Pogba, Fred, Matic) can play in all the top 6 clubs.
• We spent 90m on Lukaku, huge wages on Sanchez, & we got two young talented players Rashford & Martial.
• Full backs, Shaw has been very good in the last three games so far, Valencia is still solid, Young is useful to backup Shaw, Dalot is young talented right back.
• I know our centre back aren't top defenders & no leader at the back but they are still part of the team that kept the most clean sheet last season.

Problem is obviously manager. He doesn't seem to have a clue about his best XI, what type of system and formation he wants to play. He got spoiled too much with transfers, he wanted Lindelof & Bailly & now he realised they aren't the solution and wanted the 3rd centre back, I'm not in shocked if we didn't let him spend on the 3rd one after failing to get the best of his two signings.

I think Mourinho has upgraded our players from LVG's deadwood and it's the positive I can take from him. His status as a top manager able to attract very good players, but I think his man management & tactic are just not working on our players at the moment.

I think if the next manager do come replace him I don't think he will have the same level problem as our previous manager's. The players that we got right now are quality players & what we need is the manager who knows how to get the best out of them.

 

[jlecesne]

I think he has to go. I agree with Gary Neville's comments that we don't want to become like Chelsea sacking managers left and right. But, ever since we got knocked out by Sevilla in last years Champions League he has constantly disrespected the club. He started by saying we had no heritage. Then criticized the squad and basically said Sevilla had better players than we did. Constantly moaned throughout the summer that we did not have the appropriate talent. Seems to have created rifts with many players going all the way back to Mhiki and now with Pogba and Martial. The list goes on...

Dropping 6 points in the first 3 matches isn't the end of the world. But when you couple that with his behavior, it is time to move in a different direction. We do not need a manager who is going to pout and make excuses. We need to bring in a manager who is focus on winning matches and getting the best out of the players that he has. The window is shut. Its time to produce the best football possible with the squad we have. Mourinho doesn't seem to have any interest in doing that. See ya.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Same. I’m with Jose with this one.

Although I would like to see him improve the players he has also. But I don’t think it’s his fault they keep making mistakes. Our squad needs to grow some balls really.

We need to improve offensively. I think he’s taken the steps to improve personally with appointing some new coaches but his players have let him down. The heart is there from the players, but obviously the ability is missing. Defence has been an absolute shambles these first two games - they’re organised but just making individual mistakes. I do think that the last week is unfortunate however and we will improve but 6 points is an awful lot to make up this early in the season and it’s definately not ideal.

On this point, I think this is one of the big myths of football. It's more about general results and momentum making people say x,y or z player is great than individual player improvement through coaching - you can change tactics and player positions which can make a difference but Jose shouldn't be held responsible for players missing passes, having poor touches or any of the basics of the game. For the most part, players are signed in or near their prime - it's not like a coach can suddenly make Lukaku have the touch of Berbatov through some technical drills. The core of the player is there and has probably been there since about 20 or 21 years old.

Maybe with academy players (as an aside, this is where Poch gets the most praise from me), Lingard is a prime example, you can see him becoming a better player over time. But top managers buy players who already have the raw ability and generally they look better because they are joining a stronger team/team better suited to their style of play. Sanchez didn't become rubbish overnight, he just isn't what we needed for example and our system highlights his flaws rather than accentuates his strengths.

 

[The White Pele]

Ferguson’s United were always at their best with their backs against the wall. I want to see Jose and the players come out fighting now and I think we will see it.

If they show that collective spirit to turn this around then we’ve got half a chance.

 

[Aloysius's Back 3]

@Wumminator remember the Lvg in thread! now look at what's happening

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I'm one of the ones that jumped on the Jose out bandwagon after the game. Most of us will do that in the heat of the moment, that's obvious.

The 1st half was of huge promise for the future, however, I don't understand part of his selection, that's the 1st thing that feks with my mind.(And others, like buying 2 absolutely shite center backs for 30 mil each, but let's get over this part). I'll go easy on him:

1.
- He plays Pogba on the right, basically limiting his offensive output and making it almost impossible for him to shoot at goal. IT;s hard for a right footed player to shoot from that right side CM position; Not only he plays him on the right, he plays him against Delli if I'm not mistaken a very quick and mobile player (that feked behind Pogs back the whole game)
- He plays Pogs on the right, on the side he knows he'd need to cover the worst player in our back 3/5 (Tony, and yes, he was the worst, not the CB"s)
- He plays Fred on the left, limiting his ability to shoot and go forward (Yes, it might be considered that he would support the Shaw lane better, as he's better than Pogs with the ball, but hey, he played vs Dembele at times)

At times, both Pogs and Fred were out of position because they don't normally play there and they tried to switch sides, that feked us heavily in the 2nd half in moments of defending.
Once they switched sides tho, Fred created some things on the right, Paul had some decent shite on the left.

2.
- He plays Matic after an injury. What was it going to happen in the 2nd half with a player that just came back from injury, no pre season, nothing? The guy could barely run after 30 minutes and in the 2nd half he had one of the worst performances I've seen in a United shirt. Well change the guy at half time FFS.
- You don't play with a slow shielding CM against a very good offensive team. Look at Barca when they play very attacking teams, Sergio goes up with the other midfielders and they defend in a line.
At times, Matic was trying to come out and intercept a ball, or trying to move up along the lines of Paul and Fred. When he did that, Kane dropped as a 10, Eriksen moved up and Alli did the same. Our midfield was absolutely feked because of him stepping forward in the worst timed moments

3.
- You play Ander at CB trying to have one ball playing CB.
- Who the fek plays a CM at the right side of the 3CB pairing, one the same feking time with Tony Valencia, one of our worst players when speaking about defensive tactical discipline?

4. You had the Young experiment last game, now you come with a similar player at RB, one that can't defend, can't attack if his life would depend on. What do you expect to happen on that right flank? A right flank that has Paul Pogba as cover, naturally a very bad player at defending.

I'll stop here and I won't even start about playing Lukaku against arguably the best CB pairing in the league, a player that can't feking stop a ball, can't dribble, can't head the ball, can't hold it. The only thing he can do is score those feking hard ones and cross a ball, other than that, in a system that doesn't rely on counter attacking, he's utter useless. Having a lampost upfront against 2 very technical CB's is absolute suicide. (proven by the fact that, at times, Lukaku was a ball bouncer between them)

While I agree that we lost due to a few defensive mistakes and that typing here is easier than coaching Man United, something's off with Jose. He was one of the most brilliant tacticians in the world and his teams would always turn a corner after half time. I mean, you have one CM at RCB playing bad(and yellow carded), one RB playing bad, one CF playing bad, one DCM that was barely running, well change the fecking setup at half time man.

A few years back he had balls to change anyone in the lineup that was not playing good, anyone at any given minute. He seems too soft now. He still has that nastiness about him, but not that decisive nastiness and that's just sad for a Man Utd manager.

He can still turn it around though, and even if I don't rate the guy, for the sake of the club, we should still back him. (and get rid of feking half the team in the winter/summer) . To turn it around tho, he needs to be the usual feking pest that he was back in the day and put the hammer down on these players. (it worked with Shaw, it might work with a few more)

For me Hererra is the most obviously perplexing, I actually can't think of a midfielder who is worst suited to convert to a centre back when you consider what his game actually involves. He is completely frantic in midfield and vacates position very regularly. Someone like Carrick did a decent job at centre back because he read the game so well and was very good at retaining his position. Matic would have been a miles better (still not great) choice and would have limited the need for mobility. Additionally if you are looking for a ball playing defender Matic is a mile better on the ball than Hererra and has superior distribution.

We didn't lose due to defensive mistakes, we lost due to not scoring in the first half. As much as it was an improvement in the first half we still didn't really create chances, Lukaku had the one on one which was a completely random defensive error from Spurs but other than that it was just build up and possession. Again if that continues then I am on board because I believe the improved tempo and impetus will see us creating more chances once we start to get used to the system.

One thing that bothers me is that it has taken this long. I have said this a couple of times today but statistically we are the slowest team when it comes to build up in the league and the team that covers the least distance. Not just low, the lowest. That is over a 12 month period. Surely Jose knows that and understand that shocking movement off the ball limits passing options and puts us on the back foot, that aligned to being unable to create chances due to snail paced buildup is a recipe for failure. That is not tactical insight, it is common sense.

 

[shaky]

It's easier to get rid of 1 manager than 10 players. We can't bring more players in now, we can bring more motivators in however. 3 seasons= long enough. False dawns were once every month. They're starting to show up every half now.

The Lukaku complaints are mental. United should not have to really on one guy hitting the target all the time. This club is built on goals coming from everywhere and everyone. We can't even score from open play.

Sacking him after 3 games would indeed be madness and I don't support it.

However, he's been in charge for 3 years now and we're not at the level of Spurs. No disrespect to Spurs at all but with the money we've spent that's not good enough.

Have I been in a coma for a year?

 

[Bastian]

I was one of the many fans that overreacted to yesterdays match and wanted Jose out. After settling down and looking back at the match, we got what we've been asking for from Jose. The 1st half was pressing, attacking football against a top team. We dominated the match and had it not been for bad finishing we should have been ahead at the half. A lot of discussion about Herrera and Matic playing in that back 3, but it was very effective. It took the pressure off our CB from having to distribute the ball. Jose got the tactics right, if we're expecting him to account for CB mistakes and bad finishing then no manager will ever live up to our expectations.

I like this. I also like that quite a few people here are backing the manager.

With the other lot they probably have to decide if they want him to set the team up like he did yesterday and run the risk of losing because of our appalling defense or if they prefer the safety first approach. But it'll probably be damned if you do damned if you don't with them.

 

[pocco]

Have I been in a coma for a year?

This season's over already apparently, so it counts as 3 seasons.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I like this. I also like that quite a few people here are backing the manager.

With the other lot they probably have to decide if they want him to set the team up like he did yesterday and run the risk of losing because of our appalling defense or if they prefer the safety first approach. But it'll probably be damned if you do damned if you don't with them.

I have supported Jose pretty strongly since he started, I have always had a soft spot for him even when he was at Chelsea. It isn't just about the style of play, it is about the fact that he is a short term manager and it is incredibly unlikely that we win anything significant this season. Do you not just feel like we are wasting time at this point?

 

[Z1L3]

I would be prepared to accept it. There was nothing between Utd, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool last season for long periods, we’ve no God-given right to expect to finish above them anymore it has to be earned

I think you could easily argue in terms of experience and quality we have the weakest team amongst the top four candidates yet we finished 2nd. That should buy Jose enough credit for us to believe that we are on the right track

Agree 100% on both of your points. The top 6 is as competitive as has ever been and everything has to be earned, and in terms of quality and experience, I would say the order is City, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool/United, and Arsenal.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

This is a good read, had a quick look around and couldn't see it posted anywhere else (apologies if it's old news): https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/manchester-united-mourinho-chelsea-197052

 

[Laurentiu amt]

For me Hererra is the most obviously perplexing, I actually can't think of a midfielder who is worst suited to convert to a centre back when you consider what his game actually involves. He is completely frantic in midfield and vacates position very regularly. Someone like Carrick did a decent job at centre back because he read the game so well and was very good at retaining his position. Matic would have been a miles better (still not great) choice and would have limited the need for mobility. Additionally if you are looking for a ball playing defender Matic is a mile better on the ball than Hererra and has superior distribution.

We didn't lose due to defensive mistakes, we lost due to not scoring in the first half. As much as it was an improvement in the first half we still didn't really create chances, Lukaku had the one on one which was a completely random defensive error from Spurs but other than that it was just build up and possession. Again if that continues then I am on board because I believe the improved tempo and impetus will see us creating more chances once we start to get used to the system.

One thing that bothers me is that it has taken this long. I have said this a couple of times today but statistically we are the slowest team when it comes to build up in the league and the team that covers the least distance. Not just low, the lowest. That is over a 12 month period. Surely Jose knows that and understand that shocking movement off the ball limits passing options and puts us on the back foot, that aligned to being unable to create chances due to snail paced buildup is a recipe for failure. That is not tactical insight, it is common sense.

Building up play rather slowly is something that baffles me as well. It's a very predictive game and we seem to rely on Pogs creating something too much.

Added to that, our attackers are so so static, it hurts to watch at times.

The slow play might change with Andreas and Fred though, they seem to like quick and direct passes towards our front men. But if our front men are still walking around the pitch that much I can't see any improvement.

I'm curios to see the reaction in the next game and if Jose will actually deploy an attacking system or he'll be too scared for that fragile back 4 and set up as usual not to concede.

 

[The beautiful game]

Where to start!.As a chelsea supporter i know what you guys are going through i wanted him gone during his first stint.Mourhino is only interested in himself and the adulation his delusional mind expects because of his (fading)past success.

His football is the antithesis of everyone that thinks it is a spectator sport.He blames everyone from medical staff to referees to the media and supporters.. yes supporters!.Did you not cringe when he said the best judges are the supporters! - did he not say your supporters were too quiet?

he is toxic get rid of him sooner than later.Imo he lost it when he was jilted by Madrid - can you see your team suddenly turning the team around? no he will drag you down and think he is the last person to blame - that's what a narcissist does and those calling for woodwards head might think again - would you trust Mourhino with unlimited millions?

 

[nainaisson]

I'm backing the manager.
I want the owners out.

Then do your part to convince Qatar or some other Arab dictatorship to buy the club.

 

[Bastian]

I have supported Jose pretty strongly since he started, I have always had a soft spot for him even when he was at Chelsea. It isn't just about the style of play, it is about the fact that he is a short term manager and it is incredibly unlikely that we win anything significant this season. Do you not just feel like we are wasting time at this point?

No. I'd feel like we would be if we'd bring in a new manager now with no serious structural changes and board ambition.

 

[DownRiver]

Let's be honest here.

Mourinho and man utd failed at getting in the right players. Mourinho has won so much and has managed top teams from top leagues.

They had great defences and he had centre backs like Ramos, Varane, Terry, Materazzi etc. Compare this with our defence! We have Jones and Smalling who have somehow survived from Fergie's squad and they are not good enough. Bailly and Lindelof are not good enough. Can we be real? They make mistakes, are rash and not great centre-backs. I am sure Mourinho looked at these players because of scouts from Man utd giving him reports of how well the players are. They have potential, but not ready-made centre-backs. We all know Mourinho wants ready-made centre-backs, yet you want Mourinho to change his spots?

Pep bought a goalkeeper and then bought another because the GK was not good enough. These things happen.

One positive is Shaw, and Mourinho was proved right that this was down to Shaw needing to change his mindset etc. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot wrong with Mourinho. But he needs backing and we saw how good Toby was for Spurs, and this just showed Woodward's naivety thinking he knows best.

I really feel that if Mourinho leaves, it will be due to our centre backs. I however just don't understand how you can go from being the team that conceded the second least goals last year, to utter shambles. How does that even work?

 

[OverratedOpinion]

No. I'd feel like we would be if we'd bring in a new manager now with no serious structural changes and board ambition.

That needs to happen regardless of who the manager is, unless Sir Alex decides he wants to come out of retirement that is.

 

[Bastian]

That needs to happen regardless of who the manager is, unless Sir Alex decides he wants to come out of retirement that is.

Which is the absolute last thing the great man needs right now. I'll be happy just to see him back in the stands. I wouldn't even want the board to burden him with consultation when he needs to just stay strong and stress free.

 

[Ali Dia]

I wanted him in the first place.

If he’s lost the dressing room he has to go. If it’s just pogba and martial then id honestly chose Jose over them. We need a settled team of good professional players that want to be here and the lads are a disruption and provide very little on the pitch for us these days either way.. Get rid of any players who aren’t putting in the effort to get us back to the top where we should be. Maximum effort and conviction should be a given with these guys before they sign and I just don’t really see it here anymore. Are a few players trying to get Jose fired?