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

[Fosu-Mens]

The one appointment that wasn't Woodward's.

Mind you, I'm not at all sure marketing is the problem we might have with signing managers who are unproven at this level. More like, who at United's board/senior management has the knowledge to look at a younger manager and his football and decide he's good enough and the right fit?

So much easier to look at someone's CV. Don't need to be a football expert in order to sign Mourinho or Zidane.

Nah. The selection process for a new manager will be based on the most popular manager that the club is able to get. And this will be Zidane.
If Zidane is smart he would only accept a job offer if there were some promises made regarding changes in how this club is governed.

 

[GifLord]

 

[Minimalist]

They've spent more than enough so far. The only window that the manager didn't really receive financial backing was this summer and I'm pretty sure that it was down to Woodward not trusting Mourinho with his choices and sabotaging him (at least from what was reported). And btw Zidane did incredibly well basically without any signings — obviously, Madrid's squad is in another stratosphere compared to ours, but our squad is much better than what we showed today and we're beginning to forget that.

Pretty justified so far given it's our attack is the major issue (although I'm not even convinced it's a quality issue) and Mourinho was targeting bloody centre-backs.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

They've spent more than enough so far. The only window that the manager didn't really receive financial backing was this summer and I'm pretty sure that it was down to Woodward not trusting Mourinho with his choices and sabotaging him (at least from what was reported). And btw Zidane did incredibly well basically without any signings — obviously, Madrid's squad is in another stratosphere compared to ours, but our squad is much better than what we showed today and we're beginning to forget that.

We need to be making better efforts to get rid of players in the first place, Valencia, Rojo, Young, Jones, Mata, Lingard, Darmian at least all need to be off the books. Then they need to actually scout players properly, not just let agents whisper in their ears. Yes we need some world class talent coming in, but there are some good younger players out there if we make the effort. Also of course Pogba and Martial might go as well. We also need a manager with a long-term plan that relevant to how football is being played today.

 

[Giggsyking]

It very disturbing and annoying to read it hear
If you want him sacked then you are a plastic fan
If you want him to stay then you are a true red devil.

I want him gone by Christmas if he is not a title contender, I don't give a feck about the champions league spot, we are not going to win it anyway.

 

[No11]

if Manchester United want to compete with City, Liverpool they need to get shot.
Never felt he would be a fit

No way are this team close to competing for EPL,CL.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

We need to be making better efforts to get rid of players in the first place, Valencia, Rojo, Young, Jones, Mata, Lingard, Darmian at least all need to be off the books. Then they need to actually scout players properly, not just let agents whisper in their ears. Yes we need some world class talent coming in, but there are some good younger players out there if we make the effort. Also of course Pogba and Martial might go as well. We also need a manager with a long-term plan that relevant to how football is being played today.

Woody/club will not sell players with a big loss, nor do they want to pay part of their wages at the new club. Making it near impossible to get rid of some of the players, despite many "sources" saying that there are some players that have been told for some time from the manager that they are not needed. I reckon that Darmian is one of these players.
Selling Pogba would mean that we are less likely to acquire world class talent at this club, another factor may be that world class talents would actually want to go to a club that tries to challange for big trophies and not a club where the main objective is $$$, thus making MUFC less desirable.

 

[the_irish123]

I didn't bother to read other comments, but surely and I HOPE its at least 80% in favor of sacking him?

seriously, I was even worried for SAF's health having to watch his neanthertal football. If you are in favor of keeping him I am not comfortable being in a forum with you

 

[AlexUTD]

So fecking tired of this.. Watching United after Ferguson left, is like having a nightmare where you try to run away from something bad but you just cant seem to move anywhere!

Bailly not starting again. Lingard plays instead of Martial. It is just so safe and boring!

He will never get the best out of Martial/Pogba/Sanchez/Lukaku because of his playstyle.

I had it i am Mourinho out.

I would be happy with any attacking manager at this point.

 

[PepsiCola]

It's September and we all know we'll mount no title challenge this year.

We need change.

 

[shamans]

I'm more than aware he bought them but when they don't score we just sack the manager? So Allegri should be sacked because he bought Ronaldo and he didn't score for a while? Your logic is embarrassing. Name one manager who could come in now and do a better job. We had bags of chances and the finishing wasn't good enough today, Wolves scored against the run of play and we couldn't break them down after that. Blame the manager all you want but this won't improve under anyone else.

You're saying that this is a one off and have the audacity to tell others they are embarrassing?

 

[shamans]

Busy blaming the players that Mourinho bought.

Just pathetic. Mourinho fan bois don't care if the club is being left behind as long as their manager is doing well.

 

[Adisa]

Will be sacked when we fail to finish top four. I don't have time to argue with anyone.

 

[shamans]

I didn't bother to read other comments, but surely and I HOPE its at least 80% in favor of sacking him?

seriously, I was even worried for SAF's health having to watch his neanthertal football. If you are in favor of keeping him I am not comfortable being in a forum with you

A few who are blaming the players that Mourinho bought because oh poor Mourinho couldn't have known they would be so poor at making chances.

 

[Minimalist]

Remember when you thought it was bad that we were out of the title race in December last season?

We have to be one of the most patient clubs on the planet. He would out on his arse anywhere else.

 

[DWelbz19]

It's weird because I like the consistency in the selections and the way we try to play. But our players don't form a team even in the moment where we are doing well it's not really collectively and to be honest I don't know who is more responsible the players or the staff.

Really? I don’t think there’s any consistency or particular method of football we try to play. It all looks so disjointed to me.

 

[James Peril]

I have always defended him, I have always seen the huge challenge after Fergie left Old Trafford... but we’re 8 points behind after six games and our GD is zero. I am luckily not the one to find a replacement, but it goes without saying his tools aren’t working anymore. Things change, Mourinho has to adapt or his legacy will be screwed.

 

[BluesJr]

Remember when you thought it was bad that we were out of the title race in December last season?

We have to be one of the most patient clubs on the planet. He would out on his arse anywhere else.

Being patient and ‘sensible’ gets us absolutely nowhere. All the managers we’ve had since SAF should have been out long before they actually get ejected. The fans also have let their standards drop, this wouldn’t happen at Madrid or Barcelona. It’s never been tolerated at Chelsea either. It’s not spoilt to expect one of the biggest clubs in the world to be challenging seriously for major trophies and being a dominant force in the majority of games.

 

[Rash Decision]

A few who are blaming the players that Mourinho bought because oh poor Mourinho couldn't have known they would be so poor at making chances.

They can't be HIS buys then, must be the club's. Woodward out.

 

[JDoe]

Do you think this might be because tactics have evolved and it's not so easy for attackers to find their way around the attacking third without some structured patterns? I don't deny that our attackers aren't quite the best in the league (Sanchez was elite class not too long ago though and on the whole I think our attackers can be very good), but I find that attackers in teams like City just have more space to work with in the final third, which I believe is down to their movements being better coached to stretch defences. Our attackers just seem to run into brick walls time and time again and simply try to brute force their way through.

Honestly, I do think that individual quality is by far the most important part when playing against low block defences. While City's players are certainly running more, I think the main difference is that they press much higher resulting in more attacking situations by sheer quantity, as well as having the better dribblers to unlock deep-sitting teams in general. Pep said himself that his players are always on their own in the final third. I think Mou has been suffering from his big transfers having not worked out as he had wished (probably mainly his fault though) and this is why his old playing style (sitting deep keeping a good defensive shape, relying on individuals upfront) has been very underwhelming. I'm not saying he shouldn't be sacked, I'm just saying that he is actively trying to set up more positively and even in the Spurs game, you guys have been playing quite well actually until you went 0-2 down. Whether this is too late I don't know.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Remember when you thought it was bad that we were out of the title race in December last season?

We have to be one of the most patient clubs on the planet. He would out on his arse anywhere else.

Jose at United: 6th and 2nd in the league, Europa League and League Cup
Conte at Chelsea: 1st and 5th in the league, FA Cup

If you wouldn't know and were to pick 1 manager who got sacked reading that above, I'm sure the majority would pick Jose.

But yet, Jose is still here and Conte has been ousted at Chelsea.

 

[The Firestarter]

Remember when you thought it was bad that we were out of the title race in December last season?

We have to be one of the most patient clubs on the planet. He would out on his arse anywhere else.

Indeed we are. Must be laughing his arse off when he enters the lift at the Lowry every night.

 

[Tiber]

I'm afraid a few wins against smaller teams hasn't changed my view this this side is going nowhere under Jose.

 

[Aloysius's Back 3]

Honestly, I do think that individual quality is by far the most important part when playing against low block defences. While City's players are certainly running more, I think the main difference is that they press much higher resulting in more attacking situations by sheer quantity, as well as having the better dribblers to unlock deep-sitting teams in general. Pep said himself that his players are always on their own in the final third. I think Mou has been suffering from his big transfers having not worked out as he had wished (probably mainly his fault though) and this is why his old playing style (sitting deep keeping a good defensive shape, relying on individuals upfront) has been very underwhelming. I'm not saying he shouldn't be sacked, I'm just saying that he is actively trying to set up more positively and even in the Spurs game, you guys have been playing quite well actually until you went 0-2 down. Whether this is too late I don't know.

What's wrong with playing :

Rashford/Martial - Lukaku
Martial/Sanchez

Martial/Sanchez playing as a false 9 considering they have the best first touch & short passes out of all the attackers. Rashford & Lukaku playing as LF & RF

The quality of the players is not the issue - it's his management & inability to utilise the players at his disposal to the best of THEIR ability.

 

[JPRouve]

Really? I don’t think there’s any consistency or particular method of football we try to play. It all looks so disjointed to me.

You don't see a consistency in the last 4 games? Playing faster, higher with more width in every games, we are not particularly good but it's not really a surprise when we used to change formations, players and tactical approach every other games.

 

[Patrick08]

Conte Came at chelsea , suffered defeats, saw the problem , tinkered the formation to 343 and won with it, imploded next year with questionable purchases and again their new manager Saari looks to be following the same path, leave Klopp and Pep aside its coming to the point other European managers too are doing better than Jose. I have been a strong supporter of Jose too until now, but my patience is running thin everytime we look clueless out there about how to trouble opposition despite having vast resources. Stubbornness of his approach is coming in his way of success here. Jose may boast to the press that he demands respect and has won 3 Epl titles before in his career, more than all the other current top managers combined, and he knows what he is doing but as a club we have won 18 more than Jose's tally as well and can spot the difference between what's gonna work and what he is trying to do thing again and again and be stubborn about the way while its not working. and its not going to work in the future or immediate future as well if he does not tinker his ways just like Conte did in his first season after arsenal defeat.

He is trying samething over and over again with mediocre success since 2013 without having the players suiting the style or not adapting to their strengths but forcing his methods on them. He can not beat the "attitude of the players" drum again and again.

I am not over the tipping point with him yet, but things can change pretty quickly if this continuous.

 

[JohnnyKills]

I think he'll be gone in May. We should get behind him during the games if we're going to the games (what people say on an internet forum really has no bearing on anything).

 

[JDoe]

What's wrong with playing :

Rashford/Martial - Lukaku
Martial/Sanchez

Martial/Sanchez playing as a false 9 considering they have the best first touch & short passes out of all the attackers. Rashford & Lukaku playing as LF & RF

The quality of the players is not the issue - it's his management & inability to utilise the players at his disposal to the best of THEIR ability.

Your attacking players are very good individually, but not good enough to win games on their own. Chelsea has Hazard, Tottenham has Kane, City has a bunch of really good individuals in Agüero, Sané, KDB and Sterling that can do something out of nothing. Pool's attackers are neither exceptionally good dribbers not physical beasts, but their system does not require them to be so. I think Mou is realizing he is going nowhere with his old approach and actively trying to change now. This will require a lot more time than a couple of games since it's completely different than the last two years. I'm not saying it's definitely gonna work, but you'll need more time to judge. Whether it's worth the risk is another story though.

 

[Minimalist]

Your attacking players are very good individually, but not good enough to win games on their own. I think Mou is realizing he is going nowhere with his old approach and actively trying to change now. This will require a lot more time than a couple of games since it's completely different than the last two years. I'm not saying it's definitely gonna work, but you'll need more time to judge. Whether it's worth the risk is another story though.

Nah we don't have time for that. Especially when there's little evidence he can change.

 

[JohnnyKills]

I think he's the wrong man for the job - he's tactically outdated and his squad management is awful.

But we should at least be fair and supportive until the end of the season (when I imagine he'll leave by mutual consent).

His biggest worry is City and Liverpool. If our two biggest rivals pull away from us the atmosphere will turn toxic and attendances will drop.

 

[Rash Decision]

Honestly, I do think that individual quality is by far the most important part when playing against low block defences. While City's players are certainly running more, I think the main difference is that they press much higher resulting in more attacking situations by sheer quantity, as well as having the better dribblers to unlock deep-sitting teams in general. Pep said himself that his players are always on their own in the final third. I think Mou has been suffering from his big transfers having not worked out as he had wished (probably mainly his fault though) and this is why his old playing style (sitting deep keeping a good defensive shape, relying on individuals upfront) has been very underwhelming. I'm not saying he shouldn't be sacked, I'm just saying that he is actively trying to set up more positively and even in the Spurs game, you guys have been playing quite well actually until you went 0-2 down. Whether this is too late I don't know.

I actually think our 1st half against Spurs was our best performance so far this season, so with you on that. What's your opinion on why his big transfers haven't worked out?

 

[Patrick08]

I think he's the wrong man for the job - he's tactically outdated and his squad management is awful.

But we should at least be fair and supportive until the end of the season (when I imagine he'll leave by mutual consent).

His biggest worry is City and Liverpool. If our two biggest rivals pull away from us the atmosphere will turn toxic and attendances will drop.

Don't count Chelsea out.

 

[Kapardin]

Your attacking players are very good individually, but not good enough to win games on their own. Chelsea has Hazard, Tottenham has Kane, City has a bunch of really good individuals in Agüero, Sané, KDB and Sterling that can do something out of nothing. Pool's attackers are neither exceptionally good dribbers not physical beasts, but their system does not require them to be so. I think Mou is realizing he is going nowhere with his old approach and actively trying to change now. This will require a lot more time than a couple of games since it's completely different than the last two years. I'm not saying it's definitely gonna work, but you'll need more time to judge. Whether it's worth the risk is another story though.

We have Pogba, who isn't doing too badly for all the criticism.

Its' not as simple as that. Take the example of Fred, he was a dynamo today, and logic dictates he and most of our players are capable of upping their level and delivering performances like that consistently. An attack of Martial-Lukaku-Lingard with Alexis and Pogba-Fred-Fellaini midfield may not be as good as City's or Liverpool's attack, but can certainly score 2-3 goals in a game. That they don't, is due to inadequate coaching.

Our squad is closest to that of Chelsea, with a bunch of average to above average players, ineffectual strikers, a dodgy but manageable defense and one world class player (Hazard/Pogba). If Chelsea can be top 3, so can we for sure.

Mourinho has realized his old methods don't work, but he doesn't have a clue how to proceed. He tries to implement an attacking formation, but its' half-arsed and when our backs are against the wall, he reverts to long ball. Not really much of a change.

 

[JohnnyKills]

A cult indeed.

Think people took SAF's speech on backing the manager as back the manager no matter what.

Jose has failed for what was expected of him.

Yep. And then Fergie wasn't even straight with Moyes when he was on the verge of being fired, and subsequently claimed he was our sixth choice.

So he didn't even practice what he preached.

 

[Nate Dogg]

It's fickle. A run of 2-3 wins and the vote shifts towards 'Mourinho in'

Just watch how it changes towards 'Mourinho out' over the next couple of hours. Currently 48.3%, bet it goes up.

That what pisses me off, the fans applauding this fraud.

Let me remind everyone he is a has been and a miserable bastard who is destroying this club of ours!!!

 

[Sing you a song]

So fecking tired of this.. Watching United after Ferguson left, is like having a nightmare where you try to run away from something bad but you just cant seem to move anywhere!

Bailly not starting again. Lingard plays instead of Martial. It is just so safe and boring!

He will never get the best out of Martial/Pogba/Sanchez/Lukaku because of his playstyle.

I had it i am Mourinho out.

I would be happy with any attacking manager at this point.

lingard offers so much more than Martial for the team .
Why on earth would anyone want Martial to start he has been abysmal and he carried virtually no goal threat

 

[Aloysius's Back 3]

We have Pogba, who isn't doing too badly for all the criticism.

Its' not as simple as that. Take the example of Fred, he was a dynamo today, and logic dictates he and most of our players are capable of upping their level and delivering performances like that consistently. An attack of Martial-Lukaku-Lingard with Alexis and Pogba-Fred-Fellaini midfield may not be as good as City's or Liverpool's attack, but can certainly score 2-3 goals in a game. That they don't, is due to inadequate coaching.

Our squad is closest to that of Chelsea, with a bunch of average to above average players, ineffectual strikers, a dodgy but manageable defense and one world class player (Hazard/Pogba). If Chelsea can be top 3, so can we for sure.

Mourinho has realized his old methods don't work, but he doesn't have a clue how to proceed. He tries to implement an attacking formation, but its' half-arsed and when our backs are against the wall, he reverts to long ball. Not really much of a change.

Exactly - we can talk ever about how other clubs have better players in their squad - however to expect this to be the best capable with the players available is wrong. I say it repeatedly - why do we we have Lingard & Sanchez playing as wingers supplying one target man in Lukaku when we could scruple up 3 forwards be it from Rashford, Martial, Lukaku, Sanchez & Lingard - & have they in positions to actually be forwards rather than suppliers to one striker consistently.

People talk about Sterling like one of our players could not reach his level - he is doing fantastically well right now because he is a forward who is closer to the goal than he is to the touch line & his main role is to tap in goals rather than cross and hope a target man does his job on that day.

We should be doing better.

 

[tob]

I’m struggling to find why Mourinho is so insistent on playing this 4-3-3 system.

It really doesn’t seem to be working for us offensively.

Both Lingard and Sanchez likes to come inside and attack trough the middle. Only to move into the space where both Pogba and Fred likes to operate as well. It will only lead it to be too crowded. If you don’t crowd the middle of the attacking third you’ll give Pogba and Fred more space and more time on the ball.

In a defensive part of view, you’d want the middle to be tight and crowded, but not in an attacking point of view. There you want to drag your opponents wide and create holes in the middle to use. I feel that we’re doing the exact opposite.

Playing Rashford and Martial wide doesn’t come out good either. They are both strikers, natural strikers, and they need to be finding themselves more inside the penalty box. We need to be scoring more goals and that’s more likely to happen if we’re having more players inside the penalty box!

So. Play with two strikers! Start playing with a duo upfront.

Provide the width with real wing play. With players that will hold that wide area and make it their own. Although I like Shaws contribution, in a defensive part of view, as a left back, he could really own that left side all by himself as a wing back with a bit of a cover behind him.

The other side is tougher. But I’d go with Lingard or Dalot - depending on who we’re up against.

Yes, I’m looking for a three-at-the-back mentality playing style here.

This, down below, is nearly the same starting lineup from today - except Martial instead of Sanchez. Only thing that differs is the role that they would have - in both attacking and defending manner.

———————— de Gea
—Valencia —— Smalling —— Lindelöf—
———————— Fellaini ———————-
Lingard — Fred ————Pogba — Shaw
————— Lukaku —— Martial

This is how I feel we would get the most out of this squad.

Play two upfront - making it harder for the opposite centre backs and getting one more player operating inside the penalty box.

Play with wingbacks - will mostly hold the width and freeing up the space for our central midfielders. Putting in crosses but also trying to make runs between their fullback and centre back.

Having that middle cover with the deeper laying centre midfielder. Who can also fall in line with the back-line to cover crosses.

Playing with wide centre backs that are comfortable with defending against a winger in wide areas. Lindelöf is a question mark here, but he’s better than Jones or Bailly in that sense.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Apparently pressure had been mounting on Claude Peul after a bad run of form. They're one point behind us

 

[Minimalist]

Apparently pressure had been mounting on Claude Peul after a bad run of form. They're one point behind us

Mourinho will even get beat to the sack! Jesus can't he do anything right!?