He's made us very difficult to beat, which is the foundation for any title winning team and what I'd expect from any Mourinho team. If he can address our attacking impotency in the summer we'll be very strong next season. I have full faith in him to get us back to the top within the next couple seasons, not only challenging for the title but competing for the CL.
Jose
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
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Certainly hope so. It's been far too long since we've been a force in Europe. I expect that ourselves and Chelsea will lead the resurgence of English teams in the CL in the future to come.
Not always but he did play that combination a couple of times. It made sense sometimes because there was no way Real Madrid could outplay that Barcelona side in a pure attacking slug match. Player for player, Barca was superior. So, Jose decided to lock up defence, concede midfield for a few yards and then break on the counter. With attacking players like Ronaldo, Higuain, Benzema, Callejon and Di Maria Madrid had pace to burn and players like Alonso and Ozil who had amazing passing ranges, they became a real threat. It was an incredible Barca side. A team no one could stop until Jose crafted that strategy.
Indeed.
Hahaha! They sure will.
But isn't it true that there is no top manager in the world who does not have a sizeable number of haters?
Football fans can be fickle. That's a characteristic of the sport. In sports like Tennis, when you love Nadal, you love Nadal. That's it. In football, the loyalty is often first to the club so you have fans who think a manager is good for the club and those who think he's horrible for the club. It is often about tastes, preferences and perspectives.
Probably but so far, there is nothing we can really say. He's behaving, showing respect. There are some decisions which are hard to understand but generally, he's been more than fine.
Fair enough but what is in the past is in the past. While at United, he has not done too much wrong and behaved quite wellI'd go with a resounding yes. There are a few, or even more than a few. And I don't particularly blame them, if you consider his past conduct and behavior. I was in that camp, but since he was appointed as our manager, I've fully supported him - the past 3 years' horror show also helped sway me, of course
He just needs that first trophy under his belt. If we get a couple of trophies and CL football, you'll see the swagger begin to come back next season.
I guess you are right. And it should be that way also. No one is bigger than the club except SAF.
In all seriousness though. We are quite lucky that SAF retired in time. We might have ended up in a situation like Arsenal have with Wenger where it is nearly impossible to sack the manager even though he isn't performing
If he manages to pull of an Europa League / League Cup double it would have been a great season, no matter if we finish 5th or 6th in the process. We should go for the title next year, but ensuring Champions League qualification while also winning the only top price missing in our history of European football would be brilliant.
Last 25 games have been 18 wins, 6 draws and one meaningless loss at Hull in the League Cup. One thing's for sure, we are very very hard to beat, which bodes well for the cup competitions. Such a shame about our two months period back in October/November, but oh well, you can't have it all.
Last 25 games have been 18 wins, 6 draws and one meaningless loss at Hull in the League Cup. One thing's for sure, we are very very hard to beat, which bodes well for the cup competitions. Such a shame about our two months period back in October/November, but oh well, you can't have it all.
True. And I think for our own sake we should try not to get carried away when we eventually hit a rough spell. I really do believe that in Mourinho we can get the closest thing possible to a new SAF era.
You know one of the reasons why SAF was so respected by the players was because they knew he had the ultimate backing from the fans and the owners. So mutiny was never something that was an issue. I feel like Mourinho was pushed out of Real and his 2nd time in Chelsea because of mutiny from a small group of players.
definitely a key factor. when you came to Manchester United when Sir Alex was there (after gaining some success of course), there was no way you were getting one over Fergie. He had enormous amount of control so trying to start any sort of mutiny just meant you'd be out the door and players understood that.
This is a big opportunity for Mourinho because United is the type of club that will allow him the space and time to build up that kind of pedigree within the club. Other clubs like Chelsea and Madrid operate differently.
To sum up, Manchester United is used to the manager being the constant with regular player turnover. At Chelsea and Madrid, less player turnover (unless spending spree) but higher manager turnover which gives rise to more player power.
Maybe there some,even not sure is there any United fan really hate JM.
Not sure would you say that i hate JM because of my opinion of him.
What about the Community Shield?
Very correct.
SAF's timing was almost perfect. He left when the ovation was loud.
The same cannot be said of Wenger. I am not his fan but something in me wants him to leave with some dignity. He has done his bit for football. If United fails to win the FA Cup, wouldn't mind Arsenal winning it and Wenger bowing out. But we all know that once he wins it and manages to force his team into the top four once more, Arsenal fans will start their traditional 'In Wenger we Trust' songs and stubborn Wenger will sign a new contract. Which, admittedly, will be a good thing for United. Lol.
that's excellent, fair play. I would've hoped we would be in a champions league position after that kind of form though. At some point we need to pounce.
Eric on Jose:
"I think United will win more than one trophy this season and the first one will be the EFL Cup," Cantona told the club's website.
"Mourinho is a winner - he has won a lot of things and he is a great manager. I think United will win many things.
"The first one is important, I think. In a club like United, of course, you have the pressure of winning things so, when you win one, you have less pressure. But people ask for more of course, and Mourinho doesn't have any kind of problem with the pressure.
"He has been around for many years, he has been a manager of many great clubs and has won things with all of them, and improved the team every time, so he will win. They will win the final, don't worry!"
"I think Mourinho plays more attacking football than he used to play and he tries to understand the expectation all the time at United," Cantona added.
"He is a very intelligent man, very clever, and he has a great sense of humour. I always said that before he came to United. He takes all the pressure on him, he doesn't care about any kind of pressure.
"He's great psychologically. He takes all the pressure on him so it's less pressure on others and so the players can enjoy their football."
"I think United will win more than one trophy this season and the first one will be the EFL Cup," Cantona told the club's website.
"Mourinho is a winner - he has won a lot of things and he is a great manager. I think United will win many things.
"The first one is important, I think. In a club like United, of course, you have the pressure of winning things so, when you win one, you have less pressure. But people ask for more of course, and Mourinho doesn't have any kind of problem with the pressure.
"He has been around for many years, he has been a manager of many great clubs and has won things with all of them, and improved the team every time, so he will win. They will win the final, don't worry!"
"I think Mourinho plays more attacking football than he used to play and he tries to understand the expectation all the time at United," Cantona added.
"He is a very intelligent man, very clever, and he has a great sense of humour. I always said that before he came to United. He takes all the pressure on him, he doesn't care about any kind of pressure.
"He's great psychologically. He takes all the pressure on him so it's less pressure on others and so the players can enjoy their football."
You have to say after 6 months he has turned us from hope to expectancy. OK some players who look good on paper may end up getting jettisoned from the club, Shaw may end up as one for example. At least one of Jones, Smalling, Blind or Rojo will be gone, Rooney Young and Carrick probably are in their last days as well. You know that in the summer he will bring in another 3-4 maybe 5 class players which will make us a lot stronger. As for this season we have loads to play for. We still have a great chance of more than one piece of silverware, and we still have to play 4 of the 5 teams above us, so top 2 is still within our grasp.
It is time for the expectancy to turn into genuine optimism, and sadly some fans still have a despondent mindset and attitude and regard Rostov as a "tough draw". We can win 3 cups this season. Time to give the manager our full backing and allow ourselves to dream of winning again.
Mourinho has done a remarkable job. The entire vibe surrounding the club has been transformed, its time the fans got behind him (and the club) wholeheartedly.
It's not tough as in they are a good side, which they really aren't, the tough part comes from the travelling especially as its over the same week we play Chelsea in the cup
Eire Red Utd as said its the travel and the following game after he alludes to as a tough draw, but I think we can win at least 2 cups and a top 3 finish.
The League Cup is a competition you've always targeted. When you won it with Chelsea it gave the club and team a real bounce. Are you confident that if you win it with United it will do a similar thing for your team?
JM: When we won with Chelsea we were in a fantastic position to win the Premier league, so I can say that the Carling Cup final gave us the last push of confidence to go and win the Premier League. This time is different. Our position in the Premier League doesn't give us real options to win the Premier League this season, but we have a lot to play for. We have the top four, we have Europa League, we have FA Cup, a lot to play for. I would lie if I say a victory now wouldn't push us for more, but at the same time we have to think of events separately.
This is just a final. On Monday and Tuesday we are off and on Wednesday it doesn't matter what, we have to be ready to work and be ready to prepare for Bournemouth which is our next match in the Premier League.
How important is it for you to win your first trophy as Manchester United manager?
JM: Second! The Community Shield is a little one. It is a trophy that belongs also to Mr Van Gaal because he won the FA Cup and allowed us to play in the Community Shield, but it is something. It is a little cup, but it is something.
It would be important. It would be more important for the club than for me. In this moment of my career I'm not selfish, I'm not looking to me too much. For the club I think it's good. A difficult period when we don't win the Premier League or a European competition for a few years. It would be good for the boys' experience, especially the ones that didn't belong to the winning period like Carrick, Valencia, Rooney or Young. It would be important. It would be nice.
You're 40+ matches into your reign. Where do you think you are in terms of this evolution of the club?
JM: I think with this group of players, the squad we have and the difficulties we are having during the season, I think we are more than fine. I think we will be ready in July to open the door for two or three good players to help us to improve our level. You reach a certain level of stability, you find your way to play, your philosophy and this is very important. We are stable in the way the team plays and we need one more push.
The next push is the next transfer window. We didn't use it in the winter and we are obviously going to use it in the summer and trust the players we have. Like Mr Woodward was saying, we will keep a huge percentage of the players we have at this moment in the squad. We need the next push.
Have you earmarked the players already who you want?
JM: Yes.
And are you keen to get it done quickly like you did at Chelsea?
JM: If possible, it is better. If you can start the pre-season with your squad it is obviously better. I always say that the market closes on August 31 when you are already playing matches, so it is not the best moment to do it. But sometimes deals are so difficult to do that sometimes the people responsible need one more day, one more week and it goes until the end.
If you get those players do you feel you will be the real deal next year at home and abroad?
JM: No, I think it is the next step. Is the next step enough to win titles? Probably, we can win this season without that transfer window but I think it is a good opportunity for the next step.
I want to speak about Zlatan. He has scored more goals in league and cup than anyone in the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two. You had him at Inter aged 26 or 27, which is arguably a peak age for a striker. How different is he now he is 35?
JM: He is better. He is more collected, he is more intelligent, he understands the game even better. He is not just a finisher, he is also somebody that is important in the creation. He leads, he has a special feeling with the younger guys. I think he is better now.
Could he do a Totti and still be playing at 40?
JM: I think he could. By the physical point of view of course he could. But I don't think it is the physical point of view, it is the mental point of view. He will make the decision like Zanetti, Maldini and like Totti will do one day. He will make the decision and I think the world of football has to accept the decision because what he is doing is phenomenal. One day he will wake up and decide enough is enough.
What have you worked on in terms of the tactics this week that Southampton bring to the table?
JM: They have had 15 days to work, thinking only about us. They don't think about any other opponent, just about this game. Two weeks is like a pre-season so for sure - Claude is a good coach and works well and hard - they were working on us. Can they try to make something new because they had 15 days to work? Maybe. I am trying also to go in that direction. What can they do by surprise?
But I also analyse what is not a surprise which is the way they have been playing during the season. I go to the things they did and the things they never did and who knows what they can do? We work hard to be prepared as a manager and in the days after St Etienne we need to recover from a physical point of view, but also we can work with low intensity and work tactically to try to give the players the best solutions. When the game starts, for me and Claude our work will be reduced to the minimum and then it is up to the guys.
You've drawn Rostov in the Europa League. What are your thoughts on that?
JM: Very bad. It is a long flight, a very difficult team. They did amazingly well in the Champions League. They beat Anderlecht and Ajax in the play-offs, beat Bayern Munich, drew with Atletico Madrid, beat PSV Eindhoven. They are a very defensive team, five at the back, it is going to be hard. I am happy the second leg is at home because we have the chance to decide it at Old Trafford. I am also happy that after Chelsea we don't have to go to Rostov. It is a difficult period and opponent for us, but we are in the last 16. We will have the right motivation when the moment arrives.
Finally, what was your reaction when you heard the Claudio Ranieri news and what will he be feeling?
JM: My reaction is that anything can happen in football. Last season I thought my sacking at Chelsea was a big thing. I realised last night that was such a small thing compared with Claudio. I am disappointed and sad, yes, but surprised? In modern football there are no more surprises.
The club statement is to laugh. The club statement is to throw sand in the eyes of the people. If it's true that some players had an influence on that I think they should be really ashamed.
http://www.skysports.com/football/n...-final-zlatan-ibrahimovic-and-claudio-ranieri
JM: When we won with Chelsea we were in a fantastic position to win the Premier league, so I can say that the Carling Cup final gave us the last push of confidence to go and win the Premier League. This time is different. Our position in the Premier League doesn't give us real options to win the Premier League this season, but we have a lot to play for. We have the top four, we have Europa League, we have FA Cup, a lot to play for. I would lie if I say a victory now wouldn't push us for more, but at the same time we have to think of events separately.
This is just a final. On Monday and Tuesday we are off and on Wednesday it doesn't matter what, we have to be ready to work and be ready to prepare for Bournemouth which is our next match in the Premier League.
How important is it for you to win your first trophy as Manchester United manager?
JM: Second! The Community Shield is a little one. It is a trophy that belongs also to Mr Van Gaal because he won the FA Cup and allowed us to play in the Community Shield, but it is something. It is a little cup, but it is something.
It would be important. It would be more important for the club than for me. In this moment of my career I'm not selfish, I'm not looking to me too much. For the club I think it's good. A difficult period when we don't win the Premier League or a European competition for a few years. It would be good for the boys' experience, especially the ones that didn't belong to the winning period like Carrick, Valencia, Rooney or Young. It would be important. It would be nice.
You're 40+ matches into your reign. Where do you think you are in terms of this evolution of the club?
JM: I think with this group of players, the squad we have and the difficulties we are having during the season, I think we are more than fine. I think we will be ready in July to open the door for two or three good players to help us to improve our level. You reach a certain level of stability, you find your way to play, your philosophy and this is very important. We are stable in the way the team plays and we need one more push.
The next push is the next transfer window. We didn't use it in the winter and we are obviously going to use it in the summer and trust the players we have. Like Mr Woodward was saying, we will keep a huge percentage of the players we have at this moment in the squad. We need the next push.
Have you earmarked the players already who you want?
JM: Yes.
And are you keen to get it done quickly like you did at Chelsea?
JM: If possible, it is better. If you can start the pre-season with your squad it is obviously better. I always say that the market closes on August 31 when you are already playing matches, so it is not the best moment to do it. But sometimes deals are so difficult to do that sometimes the people responsible need one more day, one more week and it goes until the end.
If you get those players do you feel you will be the real deal next year at home and abroad?
JM: No, I think it is the next step. Is the next step enough to win titles? Probably, we can win this season without that transfer window but I think it is a good opportunity for the next step.
I want to speak about Zlatan. He has scored more goals in league and cup than anyone in the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two. You had him at Inter aged 26 or 27, which is arguably a peak age for a striker. How different is he now he is 35?
JM: He is better. He is more collected, he is more intelligent, he understands the game even better. He is not just a finisher, he is also somebody that is important in the creation. He leads, he has a special feeling with the younger guys. I think he is better now.
Could he do a Totti and still be playing at 40?
JM: I think he could. By the physical point of view of course he could. But I don't think it is the physical point of view, it is the mental point of view. He will make the decision like Zanetti, Maldini and like Totti will do one day. He will make the decision and I think the world of football has to accept the decision because what he is doing is phenomenal. One day he will wake up and decide enough is enough.
What have you worked on in terms of the tactics this week that Southampton bring to the table?
JM: They have had 15 days to work, thinking only about us. They don't think about any other opponent, just about this game. Two weeks is like a pre-season so for sure - Claude is a good coach and works well and hard - they were working on us. Can they try to make something new because they had 15 days to work? Maybe. I am trying also to go in that direction. What can they do by surprise?
But I also analyse what is not a surprise which is the way they have been playing during the season. I go to the things they did and the things they never did and who knows what they can do? We work hard to be prepared as a manager and in the days after St Etienne we need to recover from a physical point of view, but also we can work with low intensity and work tactically to try to give the players the best solutions. When the game starts, for me and Claude our work will be reduced to the minimum and then it is up to the guys.
You've drawn Rostov in the Europa League. What are your thoughts on that?
JM: Very bad. It is a long flight, a very difficult team. They did amazingly well in the Champions League. They beat Anderlecht and Ajax in the play-offs, beat Bayern Munich, drew with Atletico Madrid, beat PSV Eindhoven. They are a very defensive team, five at the back, it is going to be hard. I am happy the second leg is at home because we have the chance to decide it at Old Trafford. I am also happy that after Chelsea we don't have to go to Rostov. It is a difficult period and opponent for us, but we are in the last 16. We will have the right motivation when the moment arrives.
Finally, what was your reaction when you heard the Claudio Ranieri news and what will he be feeling?
JM: My reaction is that anything can happen in football. Last season I thought my sacking at Chelsea was a big thing. I realised last night that was such a small thing compared with Claudio. I am disappointed and sad, yes, but surprised? In modern football there are no more surprises.
The club statement is to laugh. The club statement is to throw sand in the eyes of the people. If it's true that some players had an influence on that I think they should be really ashamed.
http://www.skysports.com/football/n...-final-zlatan-ibrahimovic-and-claudio-ranieri
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He has really matured as a person after the last year embarassment at Chelsea. He is very respectful and very unjose like. Hopefully a few titles can bring the cnutnish him out.
Unziiiiip.
Cheer up Jose
Looks fecking ecstatic
I know he won't be happy with the performance but I just want to see him smile!!
Wow, he looked like he was slightly pissed off at how long a queue in Tesco was taking there
Looks very subdued, hope he's ok.
Doubt he's happy with the performance, and he likely expects a lot more from this club than winning the League Cup.
In fact, he's probably desperate right now to get that team back and tell them they need sort their shit out for the rest of the season.
In fact, he's probably desperate right now to get that team back and tell them they need sort their shit out for the rest of the season.
Humble Jose.
He has to almost force a smile there.
What's up?! Fergie smiling more than him!! Cheer up man
I get the feeling he won't be happy until we're winning the league and CL.
Was that his son he hugged right at the end with the blonde hair?
He wants more. Sending out the right message to the players.Cheer up Jose
Why is he so sad?
United has really humbled Jose.
Just hope everything is OK in his personal life. He genuinely looks saddened by something.
Just hope everything is OK in his personal life. He genuinely looks saddened by something.
I've seen happier people at a funeral ffs. Guess he's pissed at the performance.
Probably wants to win more, its the EFL cup not the league or the CL.Why is he so sad?
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