Jose Mourinho | 2017/18 Assessments | Poll Added

[Robindinho]

He’s too negative unfortunately and doesn’t suit us when push comes to shove...

He’ll always go for the more defensive option in terms of a sub or formation - even today taking off Martial instead of Lingard when we’re chasing the game.

I don’t actually think he knows how to set his team up to truly attack, we had TWO shots on target that second half and it seemed players still had restrictions to go forward.
I hate to think how we’ll set up for the Spurs/Chelsea games.

 

[The United]

United squad has been shit for some years. Mourinho arrives gets 4 players in the first year, adds 3 more on the second season.

From those 7 players , 3 are injured , 1 looks like a flop (and it shouldn't be cause i saw him last year at Benfica and he doesn't look the same) and 1 is out of form. 2 are still playing good.

But for some reason, since money was spent on this players the rest that are on United for some years should be playing better/should be better because there were money spent on other players because it's logic, because that's how it works. LOL

Oh yeah that's how it should work because that's why we hire managers. A world best one.

Good managers raise player's performing levels. The rest of the united squad with those 7 are good enough to compete for top 3 at least.

Players become 'good players' because they play good. They just didn't show up just like that. So a manger has a full responsibility to make them play good. Remember this is a squad with full of international players.

It is easy to make excuse for manager or to say well I can't do much coz the squad is bad. Well, how much money or many players you will spend to sign till you luck out and win some shit?

Or better you could spend 2 billions and will still get excuse that the squad is bad coz they can't win shit?

When and where does it end?

 

[breakout67]

IMO some are going too far with underrating our squad. Just because it isnt perfect doesnt mean its bad.

As an example, how well would Man City perform if they lost both De Bruyne and Silva to injury. They would be much worse.

I think it is only fair to see how we perform at close to full strength; and when we were at full strength we were playing well.

 

[Bruno Marques]

Oh yeah that's how it should work because that's why we hire managers. A world best one.

Good managers raise player's performing levels. The rest of the united squad with those 7 are good enough to compete for top 3 at least.

Players become 'good players' because they play good. They just didn't show up just like that. So a manger has a full responsibility to make them play good. Remember this is a squad with full of international players.

It is easy to make excuse for manager or to say well I can't do much coz the squad is bad. Well, how much money or many players you will spend to sign till you luck out and win some shit?

Or better you could spend 2 billions and will still get excuse that the squad is bad coz they can't win shit?

When and where does it end?

So, please tell me what top team would want the like of young, blind, smalling, lingard, mata and so... A turd will always be a turd even if you put some sprinkles on it (just an analogy not trying to offend any player)

The thing is, you can live with 2 or 3 of those player on a team but not with more. Since we have some injuries it gets hard to create a team that has some fluid football. Midfield is at the worst possible at the moment, center backs also. If the core, the backbone of your team is stuck all the rest will be also.

You think Mourinho forgot what he knew in the first games of the Premier league? The squad is some degrees behind the first 11 and that will create problems in the team, just that.

 

[The United]

So, please tell me what top team would want the like of young, blind, smalling, lingard, mata and so... A turd will always be a turd even if you put some sprinkles on it (just an analogy not trying to offend any player)

The thing is, you can live with 2 or 3 of those player on a team but not with more. Since we have some injuries it gets hard to create a team that has some fluid football. Midfield is at the worst possible at the moment, center backs also. If the core, the backbone of your team is stuck all the rest will be also.

You think Mourinho forgot what he knew in the first games of the Premier league? The squad is some degrees behind the first 11 and that will create problems in the team, just that.

He clearly sees them useful. He won stuff with those turds. He plays some good football at times with those turds.

Can't just blame them only when the team including the manager who has utmost responsible for the team fails some time.

 

[Yakuza_devils]

I thought this season we have finally turned the corner but sadly we are back playing like last season.

I know we missed Pogba but can we justify playing so badly just because of one player? The whole team played like they never train together before. They can't hold the ball, can't pass, no understanding, etc.

Hopefully, we can get top 4 this year.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Give it a rest with the oh so tired shit squad excuse.

How many Huddersfield players who beat us today would you like in our team, how many would you choose to improve our squad.

None? is it? but the excuse is, of why we cant pass the fecking ball and could only muster 2 shots.. against a fecking championship side, it's because we only have 41 cap Spanish international Juan Mata and co. out there.

 

[Womp]

Herrera isn't a 4231 player.

I love Herrera, he's my favourite player at the club, but he looked poor when he played in a 433 with Matic and Pogba too earlier this season. He's just having a shocking season which is disappointing as he was great for us last season. Also don't think he plays well with Matic as they're both very similar players, Matic is only much better.

 

[haram]

People need to calm down. We need Fellaini/Pogba back. We've only lost one game. Ibra will give us a boost as well.

 

[NK86]

What am I reading, have you guys forgotten the last time a manager tried to sell half the deadwood in space of one window? It meant having to play Donald Love as RB, with Paddy McNair as a fixture in our central defence.

You cannot completely gut the squad in space of 2 windows when there is so much dross in the squad, players which we have right now have been accumulated under 3 different managers. At City things have been more streamlined as they always planned to bring Pep in and shaped the squad in a way where he doesn't have to change too much. See them asking for Pep's approval before signing Sterling and de Bruyne under Pellegrini. Take a look at their current squad and see how deadwood is there compared to ours, answer will become clearer to you.

Not this nonsense again. Do you know how many players Pep has had to move on as well? You think he did that despite them being good enough for him! He did that as they were deadwoods.

In his current attack B. Silva, Jesus, Sane are new players and all are doing brilliantly. Aguero has revitalized and Sterling has improved. KdB is becoming a beast. So basically he has had to revamp half his attack and he did that for less than what we paid for Lukaku and Pogba.

He had to buy a new GK, a new CB, new FBs, new CMs and yet you think City's squad was geared more towards Pep. Are you having a laugh?

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I love how you read like 3 paragraphs of my post and pull out the most obscure strawman possible as if it strengthens your argument.

Then make sure your entire post is strong. It doesn't strengthen my argument but certainly weakens yours. We can't get casemiero. How sad we had to settle for pogba. Poor old Jose. Wish he had proper resources at United.

 

[Antonedwin]

Losing key players. I won't judge him this way. We are better team when the likes of lingard & Herrera didn't start

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Read what he said, he never said Mourinho hasn't spent absurd amounts. It's that Pep has managed to outspend him despite having a far more stacked squad when he took over. Compared to every club bar one in PL he is doing fine, and that club happens to have the manager at the helm who has added to what was an already stacked squad.

We are the underdogs in this race and it'll remain that way if it does go down to the wire, Pep already had set of world class players in KDB, Silva and Aguero when he arrived. Players who have spent multiple seasons at the club and been part of multiple title wins (Silva and Aguero). How many we had apart from DDG? Mourinho has had to rebuild the attack from ground up and it shouldn't be a surprise to many that we are struggling without key personnel. Job here is more difficult than one at City, there were defensive frailties in City squad and he managed to fix that in this window. Since July they have been favorite for PL title.

Look at our team when he took over and he has to build basically a new defence along with new midfield and new attack. Still there are lots of holes in the squad, we don't have a specialist full back or a winger. Our squad options when our key men are out injured are Lingard and Young. Pep can throw on Bernardo Silva or Sterling or Danilo if required.



Manchester City added Sterling and KDB to what was an already devastating attack with Aguero and Silva, they were favorites for title that season and their form completely fell off the cliff when KDB picked up an knee injury and they announced arrival of Pep in early January.

Again you are missing the point, players take time to bed in and get used to. Look at the set of attackers he is using this season, with the exception of Bernardo Silva (who he is slowly easing in) rest have been there for at least a season and therefore you can see the chemistry in their play.

It appears you're missing the point and making up this gulf in their tasks merely to defend our manager. You'd think Pep took over Barca circa 2009 going by your post which is laughable given the discourse on this thread about City's flawed and ageing squad prior to this summer as well as last. But obviously since we're falling a bit off the pace the narrative must change.

My take: Let's take a look at where the two squads we're when both managers took over. But if we really want to be a bit more impartial let's not ignore where the two squads were at this summer because there's clearly some who unwilling to look at that.

Prior to their taking over: We finished level with City before both managers took over. City had a better striker (Aguero) and playmakers (Silva and KDB) than us while we had a better goalkeeper and defense than them. I'd say their squad was stronger but not by much. It was much older than ours too I think which is why they often got overrun.

Proper to this season: Since then, both managers have gotten backed with big money. City already had established stars in attack so went for fullbacks, goalkeepers and young attacking talents. We went for star names in Lukaku, Matic, Pogba and Mkhitarian. Not to mention the excellent Bailey in defence. I think mourinho spent superbly (on paper). And this huge gap between the two which people pretend exists simply does not anywhere. We have the better goal keeper. Our right back is as good. Our centre backs are better. Our central midfielders are better. Our strikers are as good when you consider lukaku actually manages to stay fit. Martial and Rashford are no lesser than sane and Jesus. City are better in the playmaking department and left back (well they've lost their lb now).

So all this "OMG, pep has so much to work with" needs to end because it's mere excuses. Both managers have been backed. We've improved where we needed to in the window and they've improved where they needed to. Now there's not much in it. The tired lines of two years ago don't apply now. It's time to deliver and be accountable.

 

[luke511]

The super negative approach to the Liverpool game has seemed to completely ruin our mentality, bravo Mourinho.

 

[suhaylah]

Losing to Huddersfield is a shock even though we have many injuries.. The subs were not good, should have kept martial and have rashford on the RW...

 

[MDFC Manager]

Give it a rest with the oh so tired shit squad excuse.

How many Huddersfield players who beat us today would you like in our team, how many would you choose to improve our squad.

None? is it? but the excuse is, of why we cant pass the fecking ball and could only muster 2 shots.. against a fecking championship side, it's because we only have 41 cap Spanish international Juan Mata and co. out there.

Well exactly. Getting thrashed by Real Madrid in the UCL quarters is acceptable because we're not on that level. Surrendering meekly and cluelessly to Huddersfield is simply unacceptable. Anyone trying to justify it is simply coming across as being as defensive and in-the-shell as our manager

 

[K2K]

I'm not saying don't fire him, but we will be right here again with the new guy.

Our problems run deep.

 

[Womp]

I'm not saying don't fire him, but we will be right here again with the new guy.

Our problems run deep.

I agree. If we were to get in a new guy, he'd need to be backed heavily. Valencia tries but he really isn't that good, most of the top teams have a better rb. Walker is faster which is Valencia's strongest attribute, also a better crosser and better with the ball from a standing position. Valencia is a better defender but that's not really required for 80% of our games.

He'd need to buy a left back because simply put we don't really have one.

He'd need to buy a right sided player, Rashford isn't really good there, as has been shown with England etc. So our only options there is a slow playmaker in Mata and an average Lingard.

He'd also need a number 10 as Mkhitryan is far too ineffective to be as wasteful as he is. He's a good player but with our funds we can do much better.

I would understand if Jose left, but I think we need to hold onto him a little bit longer. The problems at our club run a lot deeper than just spending money and playing good football. Bar a few players, this is a squad of players that haven't won a title. We've come off over half a decade of being piss poor.

We've had three different managers with three different styles, giving them money to bring in three different types of players - we've got a squad of mixed attributes.

We need a manager with a big enough personality to enstill a winning mentality and be able to deal with the scrutiny. I don't think there's any manager in the game as capable of that as him.

Most of all we need a DOF for some stability in this climate of little patience with managers.

 

[Treble]

The pattern I see: slow build-up-play -- not enough creativity -- hoofing the ball to the tallest players

Hoofing the ball to big players seems the magical tactical solution both to the pressing of the opposition and the inability to create against packed defences. This is Jose's answer to the evolution of the game over the last 5 years when high pressing has become so widespread. It can work in some games with physical monsters up front like Lukaku, Fellaini, Pogba and Zlatan but over the course of a whole season? I'm quite sceptical about that.

 

[K2K]

I agree. If we were to get in a new guy, he'd need to be backed heavily. Valencia tries but he really isn't that good, most of the top teams have a better rb. Walker is faster which is Valencia's strongest attribute, also a better crosser and better with the ball from a standing position. Valencia is a better defender but that's not really required for 80% of our games.

He'd need to buy a left back because simply put we don't really have one.

He'd need to buy a right sided player, Rashford isn't really good there, as has been shown with England etc. So our only options there is a slow playmaker in Mata and an average Lingard.

He'd also need a number 10 as Mkhitryan is far too ineffective to be as wasteful as he is. He's a good player but with our funds we can do much better.

I would understand if Jose left, but I think we need to hold onto him a little bit longer. The problems at our club run a lot deeper than just spending money and playing good football. Bar a few players, this is a squad of players that haven't won a title. We've come off over half a decade of being piss poor.

We've had three different managers with three different styles, giving them money to bring in three different types of players - we've got a squad of mixed attributes.

We need a manager with a big enough personality to enstill a winning mentality and be able to deal with the scrutiny. I don't think there's any manager in the game as capable of that as him.

Most of all we need a DOF for some stability in this climate of little patience with managers.

Exactly.

People mention Pochettino but he has still won feck all as manager (with a squad much better than ours).

Imagine the pressure of trying to win something with United coupled with his own pressure to win something.

I am.not happy with Jose entirely, but I can see ahead of the red mist and realise that we are still far far away from we need to be. But I can also see that we have improved.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Why did he flirt with PSG when he did? It was fecking pointless

If I was a player under him, I'd think "well feck you then"

Gutless display yesterday and Mourinho is to blame

 

[RedRonaldo]

You really think the majority of neutral fans would tell you Pogba is better than Silva? You're fairly delusional if you think so. We bought the best players available on the market at market prices. If Mourinho could have signed Modric/Kroos/Casemiro I'm fairly sure he would.

Pogba was a record signing and a young worldclass player where every big clubs want to have. What are you talking about?

 

[prtk0811]

I love Herrera, he's my favourite player at the club, but he looked poor when he played in a 433 with Matic and Pogba too earlier this season. He's just having a shocking season which is disappointing as he was great for us last season. Also don't think he plays well with Matic as they're both very similar players, Matic is only much better.

Herrera is a 4141 player when you need to press high to win it back. His best came in this system last season.

 

[prtk0811]

Why did he flirt with PSG when he did? It was fecking pointless

If I was a player under him, I'd think "well feck you then"

Gutless display yesterday and Mourinho is to blame

MEdia made that shit up. Media twists everything.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

MEdia made that shit up. Media twists everything.

I've read the quotes. Mourinho isn't stupid, he knows what he was doing. Whether it was a contract negotiation tactic or a genuine little hint to PSG for the future, he wouldn't have said those things for no reason.

 

[kouroux]

Exactly.

People mention Pochettino but he has still won feck all as manager (with a squad much better than ours).

Imagine the pressure of trying to win something with United coupled with his own pressure to win something.

I am.not happy with Jose entirely, but I can see ahead of the red mist and realise that we are still far far away from we need to be. But I can also see that we have improved.

He's made that squad better than ours over time. Not like he didn't contribute to it.

 

[K2K]

He's made that squad better than ours over time. Not like he didn't contribute to it.

Don't disagree with that.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that if he doesn't win trophies with us, some of our fans would turn against him.

 

[Womp]

Don't disagree with that.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that if he doesn't win trophies with us, some of our fans would turn against him.

We've had our first loss in god knows how long and they're turning against ours. In fact they were turning against him when we were joint first in the league and winning.

That's why we need a manager who can deal with those expectations. Poch looks a top manager but I'd prefer Jose to stabilise the club more before we went for Poch.

 

[Axkiko]

I always told myself don't be critical of Jose Mourinho's play style within 3 years. I can accept all the negative tactics if he can delivers the immediate success and get back the title for United.

That's the reason Woodward appointed him. He can brought what he want, control everything he needs.

But what if he can't do it on his second season, why we should believe he can do it on his third season which he had poor records every team he coached?

In relation to Jose comment on PSG, I hope United won't consider to extend his contract until season end.

Pochettino is the best option and I really like him a lot, his playstyle, reminds me of SAF's United sometimes. Also, he loved to use young English player. It's part of United DNA.

Other option should be Marco Silva, I admired him so much.

 

[evil_geko]

Pochettino is the best option and I really like him a lot, his playstyle, reminds me of SAF's United sometimes. Also, he loved to use young English player. It's part of United DNA.

This, I would really like to see him here, if we gave a chance to freaking Moyes, Poch is a no brainer.

I will still support Jose, but I am slowly but surely getting to that "not looking forward to our games" phase.

 

[Devil81]

I'm not that concerned about yesterday's defeat as these results happen, small clubs lift their games and we've been caught cold.

My bigger concern is the lack of ambition against the bigger clubs, the Liverpool game was the tip of the iceberg for me. We had the players to take the game to Liverpool, I've no idea why he sets up so negative. I could make a case for it at City or Chelsea but Liverpool can be beat.

 

[prtk0811]

Need to switch to a 343 with pogba and fellani and carrick missing. The attack becomes dysfunctional in a 4231.

 

[prtk0811]

I'm not that concerned about yesterday's defeat as these results happen, small clubs lift their games and we've been caught cold.

My bigger concern is the lack of ambition against the bigger clubs, the Liverpool game was the tip of the iceberg for me. We had the players to take the game to Liverpool, I've no idea why he sets up so negative. I could make a case for it at City or Chelsea but Liverpool can be beat.

Injuries are a big part to play in that as well. Just after the international break an big fixture is schduled and we always have injuries during the break. Mourinho plays a 4231 which is not balanced one bit.

 

[K2K]

We've had our first loss in god knows how long and they're turning against ours. In fact they were turning against him when we were joint first in the league and winning.

That's why we need a manager who can deal with those expectations. Poch looks a top manager but I'd prefer Jose to stabilise the club more before we went for Poch.

Some of our fans don't seem to want to believe that times have changed. Our era of English football domination is over.

I'd love a title win but I would also take progress. We havent reached 80 points in 4 years. That would present to me significant progress.this will require patience.

 

[Devil81]

Injuries are a big part to play in that as well. Just after the international break an big fixture is schduled and we always have injuries during the break. Mourinho plays a 4231 which is not balanced one bit.

In fairness, Liverpool lost one their main players as well. Everyone knows they've got issues defensively, it's highlighted every week.

We allowed Matip and Lovren to look like top defenders.

 

[Garethw]

I'm not that concerned about yesterday's defeat as these results happen, small clubs lift their games and we've been caught cold.

My bigger concern is the lack of ambition against the bigger clubs, the Liverpool game was the tip of the iceberg for me. We had the players to take the game to Liverpool, I've no idea why he sets up so negative. I could make a case for it at City or Chelsea but Liverpool can be beat.

Liverpool were there for the taking. They have been atrocious defensively all season.

Mourinho bottled it, plain and simple.

 

[prtk0811]

In fairness, Liverpool lost one their main players as well. Everyone knows they've got issues defensively, it's highlighted every week.

We allowed Matip and Lovren to look like top defenders.

Liverpool tactics suit the players strengths.

We control the possession so well in other games but do not care about the ball when play big games and play on the counter in a 4231 due to injuries and that's why lack balance and don't play to our attacking players strenghts in those games.

Thier balance never goes away even with injuries, ours do every big game.

 

[dichinero]

Not this nonsense again. Do you know how many players Pep has had to move on as well? You think he did that despite them being good enough for him! He did that as they were deadwoods.

In his current attack B. Silva, Jesus, Sane are new players and all are doing brilliantly. Aguero has revitalized and Sterling has improved. KdB is becoming a beast. So basically he has had to revamp half his attack and he did that for less than what we paid for Lukaku and Pogba.

He had to buy a new GK, a new CB, new FBs, new CMs and yet you think City's squad was geared more towards Pep. Are you having a laugh?

It's funny how people conveniently forget that Pep sold 5 potential FBs is like a month

 

[prtk0811]

It's funny how people conveniently forget that Pep sold 5 potential FBs is like a month

Because he dint want to compromise te balance of his side.

We are forced to compromise on it as our Philosophy has changed so much from fergie to Moyes to lvg to mourinho. It's very difficult to play on every players strenghts in a Philosophy you try to perfect.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Exactly, they had big issues at FB last season and they went ahead and spent a fortune on probably the best attacking RB in the league and one of the best attacking LB's in the world. Meanwhile our solution is sporting a repurposed winger on the left and another ex-winger who can't cross on the right.

Mourinho probably knew Shaw wouldn't cut it before the season started, why we didn't try for Kolasinac on a free or why we seemingly don't seem to be trying to attract Ghoulam on a free now is negligence.

Might have been the club who want to be seen as giving an English player every chance to come back. If we got rid then the backlash from the press would have been awful. However I think a lot of the problems with getting Luke fit again are down to Luke himself. I am sure Jose would have loved to reinforce there. As people have said it appeared he was going toward 3-5-2 with trying to get Perisic and I still think it rankles that we didn't get him. Griezmann as well would have been a great summer.