United Corner- Avoiding Third Season Syndrome (August 17th 2018)

United Corner- Avoiding Third Season Syndrome

Let's face facts, that was a pretty miserable summer transfer window for Manchester United and I don't think anyone would have been that surprised when hearing the reports of Jose Mourinho's discontent at the club.

It is his third season at Manchester United after all and his 'football heritage' suggests this is the time when it all goes wrong for Mourinho as fans, players and, most importantly, the decision makers at club begin to lose their belief in the manager.

This is a huge season for Mourinho to change the narrative on his career and see if he can get even more out of his squad of players who finished a huge way behind rivals Manchester City last time around. I can feel for the manager in some ways as there are some clear gaps in the playing squad that need to be filled with the right wing and the full back positions looking like particular weaknesses.

However I don't think Mourinho has any right to be complaining about not being allowed to spend a fortune on yet another centre half when big money signings like Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof have not been given the opportunities they should have. While some belief those two are not good enough to play at centre half for Manchester United, I simply don't think either has been given enough time and it might have made more sense for Mourinho to have played them together down the stretch once the Premier League title had long gone.

Injury might have been a factor for Bailly, but Lindelof was fit and he has showed he has plenty of potential in his performances for Sweden over the last twelve months. We know what we have in Phil Jones and Chris Smalling (and not much if you ask me) but Mourinho persisted with two players who are clearly some way short of the level required at a club of this size.

The rubbish Mourinho insisted on telling the media that he would only play those who could be going to the World Cup made even less sense with Smalling no where near Gareth Southgate's plans while Lindelof was going to start for Sweden. Players coming into the Premier League have regularly needed time to discover their best form so the board had every right to not want to spend a big price on defenders like Harry Maguire and Yerry Mina who may not be much better than Lindelof and insist the manager gets more out of the pieces he has in those defensive pressures.

It was a blow missing out on another attacking player though as I think that could have helped bridge some of the gap to the top. I know many who really rate the likes of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford, but personally I think both need to improve significantly to really help United take the next step while Anthony Martial doesn't seem interested to fulfil his obvious potential.

That means more pressure on Alexis Sanchez to deliver having underwhelmed since being signed from Arsenal, while Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba also have to improve in the coming season.

Things have not been helped by what has been an obvious falling out between Pogba and Mourinho and there are all sorts of signs that United are going through what Chelsea did three years ago in the months leading up to the second sacking of Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho has to have learned that the power is with the players these days and his constant digging of all and sundry in the press is getting tiresome. The shot at Antonio Valencia in the days after his pre-season injury shows no player is safe, but it looks like the decision to undermine Pogba's performances at the World Cup has gone against Mourinho.

However while United win the boat will not be rocked too much... Or so I would hope!

The problem is really going to develop if United lose and it was so important they managed to beat Leicester City by hook or by crook on the opening weekend of the season. Jose Mourinho seems determined to blame anyone but himself whenever United underachieve but this time I can see the dressing room completely turning on the manager.

I think Mourinho is smart enough to see there will only be one winner if he continues to pick a fight with someone who is liked as much as Pogba is in the dressing room and in the boardroom, but I also have a real belief that he will be looking for a way out if United hit a poor patch of form.

That means it is critical for this club to keep the wins coming and keep the problems from escalating into something that could see the club implode in the 2018/19 season. Finishing out of the top four would be a huge blow to the stature of Manchester United and how they are perceived by other clubs, but that is a real fear for me if they suffer a poor result and things reach a head between the manager and the players.

Beating Leicester City has at least settled the fans even if the reports suggest Pogba and Mourinho have had a second falling out over the past few days. You can't help but worry when you see how things have ended for Mourinho with Chelsea (twice) and Real Madrid but Manchester United can at least put those issues to the back of the minds for the fans if they can put another three points on the board at Brighton this weekend.

This is not going to be easy but United have more players returning to the fold after their World Cup exploits and there were some positives from the win over Leicester City that does make me believe all is not completely dark around Old Trafford. Fred and Andreas Pereira were both comfortable on the ball and it certainly helped United look like they could play with a little more tempo than they produced for much of the season, while both were happy to take the ball in tight places and then move it FORWARD.

Pogba's goal and performance was a boost, and the return of Lukaku this weekend and likely Ashley Young to come in at right back may just give United a team good enough of winning at the Amex Stadium.

It is definitely something to build upon, but everything could come crashing down if United lose here like they did a few months ago.

After the trip to Brighton Manchester United face their first really big test of the season as they host Tottenham Hotspur on Bank Holiday Monday. Having some momentum to take into that fixture will be important for the club else it could be a long eight days between games with more reports likely coming out of the unhappiness of key players as well as Mourinho's own discontent with the board.

That whole situation is overshadowing everything at Manchester United at the moment, but winning games is the best remedy for getting everyone back onto the same page.

Right now performances are not a massive concern for me, United just have to show enough to suggest improvements are not far away and also have to keep winning games. The fixture list certainly gives United the chance to really put themselves in a good position in the League table by the time November comes around (remember Mourinho said we will know who are title contenders when that month comes around) and at the moment winning games is all teams want to do as players continue their recovery from their World Cup exploits.

A bit more positivity from Mourinho will also ease the feeling that this partnership between the manager and United is heading towards a terrible conclusion. It seems someone has got in his ear about that in the last ten days or so, but the best way to keep everyone happy will be continuing to win games.

United Corner- Time for Big Decision for Mourinho (February 15th)

United Corner- Time for Big Decisions for Jose Mourinho (February 15th)

Valentine's Day is a time to spend with loved ones, but those who love Manchester United will still have been dissecting what has gone wrong in the last couple of Premier League away games at Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

The results is one thing, but the manner of the defeats hurt all the more as Manchester United didn't play anything like how we would have expected.

It means big decisions for the manager ahead of a very important week for Manchester United with an FA Cup Fifth Round tie followed by the resumption of the Champions League and then a big Premier League game against Chelsea next Sunday.

At this stage you would have hoped Mourinho would know the best formation and system for his team, but the signing of Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window has provided another option for the attack. However the lack of real cohesion in the attacking play at Wembley Stadium and St James' Park has to be a concern for the fans.

Ultimately the choice is going to come down to Mourinho and how he wants to play his team, but I have to say I am stunned that he has not found a way to get the best out of the likes of Paul Pogba who has been at the club for eighteen months.

As much as I have admired Mourinho's work down the years and at Old Trafford, I have to say the time has come where you have to wonder if he can get this team taking the next step in his development. My concern comes out of the fact that he seemingly is not finding a way to get the best out of the best players he has at his disposal and that has to be a negative over his reign.

The best players United have are David De Gea, Pogba and Alexis and the team should be built around them.

One of my more recent criticisms of the United tactics have been the way Anthony Martial has been shifted into an unfamiliar position to accommodate Jesse Lingard.

And the bottom line for me is that Lingard is not good enough to be a Number 10 for any top club, let alone Manchester United.

I don't hate Lingard like some supporters seem to do, but I do recognise what he is. For me he is a player that seems to find a big goal and is in the right place at the right time, which is a positive and not a criticism, but picking a pass and making the right decisions in the final third are not his forte.

A real Number 10 has to be able to do that and Alexis has made it clear that he would prefer that spot in the team so why is Lingard starting in that position?

Play your best players in their best positions!

If Jose Mourinho is insisting on sticking with his 4-2-3-1 system, then that is much more like how I would have United line up in Sevilla (assuming Bailly is not fit to play).

I don't think Chris Smalling or Ashley Young are playing well enough to start that game with Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo (or Bailly) ready to come in and it puts Alexis and Martial into positions where they feel they can contribute their best.

And you want those two to be at their best rather than Lingard who can still play well enough on the problematic right side of the team. If he isn't comfortable, Juan Mata can play that position and I just think it makes United look more effective going forward.

Does that get the best out of Paul Pogba though? Not as far as I am concerned and I think Jose Mourinho has two other options for the game in Sevilla and perhaps even the home League games against Chelsea and Liverpool to come.

These two teams are essentially the same with minor differences, but both have the three man midfield which can open things up for Pogba to operate much further up the pitch.

Pogba's best performances for both club and country have been in that position where he can turn and run at the defensive players while finding options all around him. His best 

game for Manchester United recently came in that position in the 0-2 win at Goodison Park and I have no idea why Jose Mourinho would not want to play the best centre midfielder in a position where he would be most effective.

I love Anthony Martial, but he would have to be sacrificed in this system because he isn't a right winger as far as I can see. However he could be used if Mourinho wants more movement and quality right up top with Alexis replacing Lukaku and then using Martial from the left side.

Having that option would make United very, very dangerous on the counter attack while also having the strong defensive base that Jose Mourinho wants.

I don't mind Lukaku as the focal point either, but Alexis does give you options and is someone who feels more threatening in the middle of the park. Sometimes you have to accommodate that by also keeping Paul Pogba in a strong position and that means making sacrifices.

Mourinho has spent a lot of money on Lukaku so using Alexis in a position on the left where he has thrived since coming to England is feasible to me. I just don't want the rest of the team to be shoehorned into unfamiliar positions and then asked to be very comfortable in big games.

Martial as an impact player is not a bad option off the bench and I prefer that than him starting on the right side where he has never looked his best.

Out of the three options above I would most definitely go with the second and then look to Pogba and Alexis to produce their best. It's also one that can be changed if United need to bring in another attacker in games against 'weaker' teams, but over the next week I would play that formation and personnel against the likes of Sevilla and Chelsea.

It gives Mourinho the strong defensive shape, while also opening things up for the top players in the squad to make the big positive impact we fans are all hoping for.

I am just praying Mourinho does not start the same XI that have played so poorly at Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in the last couple of weeks as that won't inspire confidence.

Instead of dragging Pogba off and giving the critics more to sink their teeth into, I hope the manager can put him in what has clearly been his best position for United and France.

These are big decisions for Mourinho to make, but ultimately they could determine if this season is a success or a real failure with the top four far from secured.

United Corner- Momentum Needed for More Big Tests Ahead (November 17th 2017)

United Corner- Momentum Needed for More Big Tests Ahead (November 17th 2017)

On paper it looked like October was going to be a challenging month for Manchester United and even though Jose Mourinho claims he doesn't speak about injuries, it has been clear that Manchester United have been missing the influence of Paul Pogba.

With Marouane Fellaini, Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Pogba, Michael Carrick and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all missing time or still on the road back, the squad has been a little stretched especially in the middle of the park.

I do feel for Mourinho in that regard, but what was he thinking bringing on Nemanja Matic when leading 0-2 at Swansea City in the League Cup Fourth Round and knowing the Serbian enforcer was going to be needed for all of the other big games being played?

It has been something he has been criticised for in the past, but the added reinforcements coming this month may make it easier for Mourinho to use the rotation that is critical at this time of the season. Games against Basel, CSKA Moscow and Bristol City should be seen as an opportunity for players not considered first team regulars to be involved and I don't think the likes of David De Gea, Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Romelu Lukaku need to be playing a single minute in any of those games.

The games come thick and fast and it has been an issue in the past where you have seen Mourinho teams run out of legs in the last couple of months, especially with the number of games that can be backlogged.

The results in October may have dictated the team selection as well as the injuries as Manchester United won 1 of 4 Premier League games. It was a below par effort simply because of that loss to Huddersfield Town and the defeat at Chelsea would have hurt a lot less if that had not been the outcome at the John Smith's Stadium.

With Manchester City laying down a huge marker, those three points lost at Huddersfield Town had to be made up elsewhere and that was the reason the defeat at Chelsea hurt as much as it did. 8 points behind City already looks a lot of points, but it is too early to panic and simply means the back to back Premier League games against Arsenal and Manchester City in early December are vital for Manchester United's chances of really putting a title challenge together.

Now I do feel United 'must' beat Manchester City to just knock them back a step or two and anything less will mean looking for other teams or luck to help close a big gap.

But that's for another day and for now Manchester United have to be looking to get into those games with some momentum. Home games against Newcastle United and Brighton followed by a difficult looking trip to Watford have to see Manchester United return with 9 points or I think the pressure will really be on Mourinho.

The Champions League is in hand so those games should not affect the team selection for the League games coming up and I do think anything less than 9 points might already mean looking for a top four finish than a title challenge.

The return of the likes of Rojo and Pogba will be huge for United though and I think they can give the squad the boost it is looking for. Pogba has been a huge miss in the middle of the park which has been most noticeable in the big games played, while Rojo seems to come off as something of a leader who can drive the squad forward.

Both have that influence and I do think United have a different look with both playing, although Rojo's position is perhaps less secure in the starting eleven than the Frenchman's. The Bailly/Jones partnership has been effective for Jose Mourinho so there could be a system change with three at the back to incorporate Rojo, or the Argentinian may be asked to play at left back where he is not at his best. However that position remains a problematic area for Mourinho and Rojo can fill in for six months.

Personally I would rather play Rojo back at centre half where he was so good for United prior to his injury. I don't dislike Jones, but I think Rojo is a better all around centre half than the England international although I am sure there are many that will disagree.

For me a Bailly/Rojo partnership was a key part of the success United had in the second half of last season and I would pair them up over the Christmas period.

My ideal United starting line up has not changed much from the start of the season barring the return from injuries and would look like this: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Rojo, Blind, Matic, Pogba, Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Martial and Lukaku in a 4-3-3 system.

Of course Mourinho may decide Rojo at left back and Jones and Fellaini are more important than Blind and Herrera, but there are options there once the squad is back to full health.

In fact reading into Mourinho's press conferences, I think his ideal team might actually involved Ibrahimovic back in the '10' position in a 4-2-3-1 which means Mkhitaryan isn't just pushed out to the right, but way not be the permanent fixture he looked earlier this season.

The left and right side of that 3 would be interchanged although I would begin with Martial and Mkhitaryan myself for the pace and creativity they offer.

But what of Marcus Rashford? I think Rashford is full of potential and he will continue interchanging with Martial on the left side of the three, but I also think there is more room for improvement than many others seemingly do.

His enthusiasm and confidence is a huge plus and I think that means he is someone who will take on board where he needs to improve and I am sure there are Coaches helping him along.

I would like to see a little more composure in the final third where Rashford can be hit or miss at times, while I do think he is yet to pick the right option when in the final third. There are times I would like him to pass and others when he hesitates to shoot, but that will come as it did for Cristiano Ronaldo in his development at Old Trafford.

The England man is definitely someone I like, but I do think he is yet to really cement a full time starting position in the Manchester United eleven. Over the next six weeks there are plenty of opportunities for Rashford to impress, I just hope he is beginning to figure out when to make the right decision in what has been a number of promising positions in the final third.


Thankfully the talking is over and the Premier League and Champions League are back this weekend. It was a tough few weeks, but the squad looks to be getting back to full health and hopefully the mood will be a lot better as we head into December and the two big Premier League games United open the month with against Arsenal and Manchester City.

That will be determined by the way United play against Newcastle United, Brighton and Watford, but I still have full belief in this squad and I can see improved performances to close out November.

We are not as far away as the press will have the fans believe and I think United can prove that with some big performances over the next couple of weeks before the game at the Emirates Stadium.

And it is great to have Paul Pogba, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic back.

United Corner- Manchester United, New Season, Increased Expectations (August 11th)

United Corner- Manchester United, New Season, Increased Expectations (August 11th 2017)

If you were going to grade the 2016/17 season, the first under Jose Mourinho, I think a 'B' would be about right.

While most of us would have hoped for a top four finish and a place back in the Champions League, winning the Europa League does feel a more positive way to do that. Adding the League Cup to the Community Shield won earlier in the season and seeing the likes of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan improve over the course of the campaign means there is an even better spirit going into the new season.

The summer transfer window work has been solid enough with a central defender, central midfielder and number nine being brought in to add to the squad that has mainly been kept together from last season.

Victor Lindelof may need some time to settle, as the likes of Nemanja Vidic needed when they first arrived at Old Trafford into a position where mistakes are highlighted tenfold compared to most other positions on the pitch. I love the signing of Nemanja Matic which should free up Paul Pogba and increase his influence further up the pitch while Romelu Lukaku is a proven Premier League striker who should be able to help turn a number of Old Trafford draws into Old Trafford wins.

Mourinho would love for one more left sided player to be brought in to give Manchester United more balance and that continues to be a position they are targeting before the end of August.

All in all, it feels a good time to be a Manchester United fan.

Mourinho's history in the second season of previous clubs will only increase the expectations from twelve months ago when most would have accepted a top four finish. This time around, with the money being spent in the last two summer transfer windows, Manchester United fans are hoping they can make a significant leap like Leicester City and Chelsea have in the last couple of seasons and win the Premier League title for the first time since 2013.

I'm not so sure Mourinho is completely happy with the squad when it comes to winning the title, and the Super Cup loss to Real Madrid has shown the even larger gap to the European elite, but I will be expecting a title challenge at least.

That simply means top four is not enough.

Instead I am looking for Manchester United to at least be playing meaningful Premier League games towards the Premier League title in April 2018 and I don't think that is asking too much. Last season the 11 League draws at Old Trafford were an absolute killer for Manchester United and even turning half of those into wins would have meant United finished above Manchester City into 3rd place.

It would have definitely see United a lot closer to Chelsea especially when you consider Mourinho put the Europa League as the priority down the stretch which saw United slip back in the Premier League. By adding Lukaku, I do think Manchester United have a player who has thrived against the weaker opposition in the Premier League and he certainly can turn those draws into wins.

Lukaku has room to improve, but he can do that at Manchester United and I think it looks  a good signing, even if I was initially a little skeptical about the move. Now I see a player who is going into his prime years with vast Premier League experience behind him and one who will score goals to help Manchester United win games.

He will need support and I would challenge the wingers and attacking midfielders to chip in with around 60 goals themselves to give Manchester United the platform to challenge for the title. That isn't asking too much of the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba as far as I am concerned.

I am looking for big things from Mikhitaryan and Pogba in their second season now they have a little more experience behind them and Manchester United also avoid the extra games that come with the Europa League by being back in the Champions League.

We are all positive at the start of the season and I think Manchester United have been given a boost by the fixture compiler by being offered up a fairly weak start to the season. Before facing Liverpool after the international break in October, Manchester United face West Ham United, Leicester City, Everton and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, while also heading to Swansea City, Stoke City and Southampton.

From those seven League games, I would expect Manchester United to win six if they want to challenge for the Premier League title and I fully believe they can do that. In previous Championship wining seasons Mourinho has had, his teams do build an early momentum and this gives Manchester United to do that before what looks a tough October/early November when facing three of the top four.

Win the games as expected and Manchester United really could be the title challengers we are all hoping they can be, but failure to win three or more and the pressure will already be on the club.

It would be great if United can add the left sided player they are clearly looking for, but even with the current squad I am excited about the new season ahead.

I would expect the early season team to mix up four at the back and three at the back depending on the team United are facing, although I would be surprised if United do not play all three August games with the same 4-2-3-1 system that Mourinho has loved throughout his career.

Expected Team versus West Ham: De Gea, Valencia, Darmian, Bailly, Jones, Matic, Herrera, Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Lukaku.

There definitely feels an excitement at Old Trafford that may not have been there since the 2012/13 season which ended with the League title. While that may not happen this season, I do think Manchester United are building a really good squad.

A Premier League title challenge, a Quarter Final run in the Champions League and perhaps adding one of the domestic Cups would be the kind of season I would be looking for from Manchester United.

Win one of the top two competitions and it would be an 'A+' season, but there has to be at least be an improvement from last season. Matching last season would not be good enough this time around, but I am excited and ready for the new season.

Finally it is here.