Jose Mourinho to PSG?

[noodlehair]

Good post @noodlehair. There's also the indiscipline of various players who have cost the team. Fact is we're having our best league campaign in years. I can't be pessimistic about it. End of this season will be five seasons without a title (barring a City implosion).

So we're on course for 88-91 points, our highest tally in a long time and people are now questioning Mourinho. It's purblind logic. He's improved the team and squad, but needs another window. He needs proper world class players up top. That's the big difference between this United side and all other Mourinho teams. Games against City and Chelsea could have been won if we'd had a Griezman or someone of a similar ilk. Mourinho's style still works, but he needs the personnel.

United need to break the bank to bring in three to four world class players. It might cost 300m+ but that's the gap right now. Add a midfielder, right back, winger and striker. If all are elite players, we win the league next season.

You also have to remember the age of the likes of Rashford and Martial...they will improve year on year providing their attitude is right, regardless of who the manager is. It's almost more important to hold on to them than it is to bring in other top class players, but it is also clear we are missing something there.

Midfield was a big issue and still is for me. We've signed Pogba and Matic who are both good enough to allow us to compete in that area, but beyond that, there is literally nothing. As soon as one of them is missing there is a heavy reliance on the other. At full back we barely have adequate players when everyone is fit. We have two converted wingers who can luckily do a good enough job there but aren't really ideal.

Last night I would say there were 5-6 players in the team who simply aren't good enough for a league winning squad. Fair enough for a League cup game, but a lot of them are still having to make appearances in more important games, as they are the immediate back up as soon as someone is injured, suspended, or even if we just have a lot of fixtures close together. It's harsh to say that about our own players, but it's a harsh reality if you want to be the best team...you have to have the best players, and they have to be backed up by players who are good enough to hold their own with the best players. The likes of Darmian, Blind, Fellaini, Herrera, etc. might be able to raise their game from time to time, but as general rule, they can't hold their own at that level.

It's easier to notice now, it wasn't so easy to notice a couple of years ago, because we were a borderline 4th placed team, at best. This season we're one step away from being title contenders...we possibly would be if it wasn't for City. So it's confusing to me that the attitude now from fans seems the same as then.

City is also a blessing in disguise in a way, because it forces everyone else to raise the bar. Again it brings in to sharper focus the areas where we need to improve. If we were sitting top this season there's a danger our players would be thinking "job done" and that would be the end of the push to improve further.

 

[pocco]

Unless something dramatic happens he won't go. He knows if he leaves now (without something happening/that he did not orchestrate) it will look like he 'ran away' from the fight against Guardiola for something easy. He has too much of an ego to not win and then leave

You could argue that he's already setting the narrative with the stories of not being fully backed by the board in the market. If he were to go, that would be his reasoning.

 

[Utdstar01]

Not sure why anyone would be happy to see him leave. Who else is out there that's better? There isn't...

 

[buchansleftleg]

The problem is some people think progression is simple and linear, like unlocking a secret weapon in call of duty that kills anyone or makes you immortal.

Improvement comes in waves and sometimes you get a step back. If you can't see that Mourinho is improving us then i suggest playing FIFA on easy mode for your entertainment.

If we back the manager so will the club with funds. If we don't the club will hold back and stall our progress, as they did in the summer by bottling out of some purchases.

 

[deafepl]

What has Sarri won?

58 years old and not a single trophy. The way you going on you’d think he’s the second coming of Ferguson.

If he was highly rated as you think why has he not been offered one of the top jobs in Italy besides Napoli? Roma, Juve, Lazio, Milan and Inter change managers regularly yet Sarri has never managed one of them in his 25 year managerial career. He’s had a journey man career up until Napoli.

What next? Shakhtar manager? Ranieri?

If you watch his game, it is a joy to watch, he breaks a lot of records at Napoli and is in top spots, he is simply one of the most underrated managers in Europe. I'd trust him managing United, given his activity in the transfer window, he really doesn't need superstars to work and his style of play that will suit United rather than being bullied into submission by the club. Sarri is favourites for next Chelsea and Atletico Madrid managers. that says it all.

 

[Garethw]

I didn't know PSG fans are so demanding now, what happened? Have they become Barcelona/Madrid over night? Last time I checked they lost in a one team league to Monaco and bottled a 4:0 lead in the CL. I think they would be more appreciative to a manager of the pedigree of Mourinho then some United fans to be honest.

You are referring to last seasons PSG. This season they are a free flowing, free scoring team, that will walk the league with probably a record number of goals scored.

Do you honestly think that the fans will want to go from that to Mourinho’s pragmatic approach? I’m sure Neymar and Mbappe would love being asked to get back and defend.

One of the alleged reasons Mourinho and Ronaldo fell out at Madrid, was due to Mourinho expecting Ronaldo to get back and defend, and him flat out refusing.

 

[DWelbz19]

inshallah

 

[sunama]

Statements like this never make sense. So you are telling me you would prefer to be like Arsenal rather than actually win. Finishing 2nd is any day better than 4th , with or without attacking. Furthermore we have scores second highest number of goals in the league so yes we have been efficent in attack.

I agree with everything you have said, but the people who prefer us to lose are not real supporters. They are probably neutrals who just want to see attractive/entertaining football.
Neutrals just want a good spectacle and after the game (even the MUFC lose), they are happy.
If we lose him, it would be disastrous because apart from Ancelotti, there isn't any suitable candidate to replace him. And lets not forget that the next manager will need at least 1 season to get to grips with the job. So our barren spell of not winning the league will continue.

I do hope the board back Jose in January and then in the Summer. I want us to win the title and with MCFC spending like crazy, we need to up our game.

 

[Home&Away]

If Pep's tactical worked in the EPL and it shows City is on another level and having a freak season. I think we should really appoint Sarri as our next managers after Jose's departure once his contract expires and Jose left a legacy in United. I believe that Sarri can transform United into one of the best team EPL has ever seen with combined of best-attacking display and the best defence built by Jose. Sarri's tactical is so similar to Pep but he called it "Sarri-ball". United XI is younger than Napoli's XI that has 5 players in 30s and has more pace/power that would be perfect for Sarri to manage a club like that. Rashford, Martial and Pogba could shive under Sarri.

Sarri can work with what he'd have at United and he really doesn't need huge transfer window to overhaul squad, he proved at Napoli but he will need a lot of players that are technical - Rojo, Bailey and Lindelof, Shaw, Martial, Pogba, Matic, Blind, Herrera, Rashford who are all comfortable on the ball

We can't afford to miss out on Sarri before City get him after Pep's departure or Chelsea get him, some of our squad players can get familiar with Sarri tactical cos they worked with LVG before. Sarri look like a manager who would stay at club for more than 3 years

Before United appoint him, we need to appoint a director of football first which is good for us in the long term because we seem to change a lot of managers recently and given them powers so much, it has destabilized the club's progressive.

Fantastic post - I forgot about Sarri & he will get us working in triangles again which is something completely missing from our game currently. No links inbetween the defence and midfield & midfield and attack. He will understand this squad much better from wing backs with the ability to push up and to drop down to defensive midfielders that guard the defence creating space in the middle. A front 3 of martial, Rashford & Lingard is more than capable of doing what napoli have been doing as a basis without taking in to consideration about the players he can bring.

What I like about him is he seems like a coach first & foremost.
He knows how to recycle possession & play fluid structures that allows formation balancing depending on whether the team has the ball or not.

 

[sparta]

I dont want jose here if he himself doesnt want to be here, getting fecking tired of these psg links, if he hasnt been backed by the board to the extent he thinks he should have been then ya he is right to be angry, just have to look what city are doing. There is still alot of deadwood in the squad that needs to be shipped out and if he wanted perisc but the board werent gona pay the inter asking price then that reflects badly on them, says alot for our ambitions.

 

[desmondisback]

The problem is some people think progression is simple and linear, like unlocking a secret weapon in call of duty that kills anyone or makes you immortal.

Improvement comes in waves and sometimes you get a step back. If you can't see that Mourinho is improving us then i suggest playing FIFA on easy mode for your entertainment.

If we back the manager so will the club with funds. If we don't the club will hold back and stall our progress, as they did in the summer by bottling out of some purchases.

Please quantify what "improvement" actually means? Everyone keeps talking about "improvement" but then refers to league tables and results. Is this "improvement"? Improvement towards what exactly? Finishing second or top 4 regularly and making it to the CL?

Me? I want my team to aspire to be champions and at least compete with the best in Europe. To do that you have to have a positive team with courage and belief that can play really good football in the big games when it matters. Agree? Well , I'm not seeing any improvement in that area , only regression to be honest.

You can keep your points , goal tallies and league tables. They count for nothing if you can't cut the mustard when it really matters. I don't imagine fans of other European teams watching us play big matches are quaking in fear at the prospect of meeting us.

Put your pieces of paper away and take a good hard look at the dire tripe we play in big games. It's NOT improvement. Teams achieve things by learning to play the game well as a team. When you are up against a big team in a big game you can't just look back in the past and say " look at how few goals we conceded at home against mid table premier league teams and how we got 80 points etc etc" . It means absolutely nothing when you are playing Bayern in a CL knock out and you have to perform and play some top notch stuff under pressure against intelligent skillful players who are passing the ball faster than you can dream of and closing you down in an instant when you have the ball.


Me? I'm looking for some hope for the future...and Mourinho isn't giving me any.

 

[Infra-red]

Fantastic post - I forgot about Sarri & he will get us working in triangles again which is something completely missing from our game currently. No links inbetween the defence and midfield & midfield and attack. He will understand this squad much better from wing backs with the ability to push up and to drop down to defensive midfielders that guard the defence creating space in the middle. A front 3 of martial, Rashford & Lingard is more than capable of doing what napoli have been doing as a basis without taking in to consideration about the players he can bring.

What I like about him is he seems like a coach first & foremost.
He knows how to recycle possession & play fluid structures that allows formation balancing depending on whether the team has the ball or not.

He doesn't know how to win anything though.

I like him, but if his 27 year career in management is anything to go by, he'd make us pretty but ineffective.

 

[pocco]

I've seen a few people mention Ancelotti as a possible replacement. That would be horrendous if it came to that. Talk about uninspiring.

 

[GBBQ]

I've seen a few people mention Ancelotti as a possible replacement. That would be horrendous if it came to that. Talk about uninspiring.

If Mourinho went he might not be the worst replacement imaginable (better than Moyes or LVG for sure) but agreed, its not something we should be wishing for.

 

[Kaos]

Go balls deep for Poch and hope he brings Delle, Kane and Eriksen with him?

 

[desmondisback]

If you watch his game, it is a joy to watch, he breaks a lot of records at Napoli and is in top spots, he is simply one of the most underrated managers in Europe. I'd trust him managing United, given his activity in the transfer window, he really doesn't need superstars to work and his style of play that will suit United rather than being bullied into submission by the club. Sarri is favourites for next Chelsea and Atletico Madrid managers. that says it all.

Yes , and I would sooner take a punt on someone than play it "safe". You have to risk finishing 9th to have a chance of 1st.

 

[Kostov]

You are referring to last seasons PSG. This season they are a free flowing, free scoring team, that will walk the league with probably a record number of goals scored.

Do you honestly think that the fans will want to go from that to Mourinho’s pragmatic approach? I’m sure Neymar and Mbappe would love being asked to get back and defend.

One of the alleged reasons Mourinho and Ronaldo fell out at Madrid, was due to Mourinho expecting Ronaldo to get back and defend, and him flat out refusing.

Do you know that Mourinho's Real Madrid team scored record 121 goals in a league season? I guess it was all down to negative pragmatic Mourinho football... I guess only Emery can play free flowing football in the mighty French league with the players at his disposal, and it would be too much to ask from Jose Mourinho, the guy who has won more in a year than Emery has his entire career.

 

[Acole9]

I've seen a few people mention Ancelotti as a possible replacement. That would be horrendous if it came to that. Talk about uninspiring.

Ancelotti is a great manager, what are you on about.

 

[TheRedDevil'sAdvocate]

Go balls deep for Poch and hope he brings Delle, Kane and Eriksen with him?

Levy would probably choose the eternal damnation of his soul over this happening. Even if he had to let one of them go, United would be the last club on the face of the planet he would sell. It would take some great maneuvring from Woodward to land Poch to OT.

 

[kotha]

I never realize so many people wanted Jose gone.. I thought things were going well.. We are on course to our highest points total post Fergie.. That is with out most important player missing a chunk of games.. Got a couple of trophies last year..

Will mostly get to the CL QF this year.. Cleared a lot of dead wood.. Most of the signings have worked.. Quality of the squad improving with more dead wood about to be displaced in Jan or by next summer..

I thin people forget how rudderless we were going during Moyes and LVG times.. Our squad needs improving and that is happening right now.. Being knee jerk and forgetting the Post Fergie years is not the way to go..

He won't leave anywhere next season,Woody would be foolish to let him go..

 

[BigdaftGorby]

So, let me get this straight - the majority here want the manager, who picked a shambolic side, won 3 tournaments and greatly improved the squad, out. Please tell me, do you expect us to win every single game and tournament we set a foot in?

Don't new players need time to gel with the others? Don't young players need a season or two to stop being such inconsistent? His style of play is surely influenced by all of this. It's all a phase, give them all some time for Christ's sake.

His style of play has absolutely nothing to do with young players or players adapting! It’s his style...he’s employed it at every club he’s been at. Sometimes you just don’t have the correct players to play to the style you want. And he doesn’t. But he only has himself to blame for that.

Pep bought the players he needed to compliment the way he likes to setup and play. It took him one season. We still have square pegs round holes.

As for winning 3 tournaments? You are counting the community shield? Behave with that. The Carling cup? Well according to a lot on here last nights defeat was in a poxy cup. So is it poxy or great silverware? Can’t have it both ways.

Nobody expects us to win every single game, we do expect to play like we mean to win. Arsenal was diabolical, we came away 3-1 but should of lost by 5 or 6 goals.
City was just damage limitation and West Brom and Bournemouth wasn’t much better. Let’s not even mention last night.

Results matter, of course they do, but I want to see something for my money. Not attackers and defenders.

 

[Red_toad]

Not sure why anyone would be happy to see him leave. Who else is out there that's better? There isn't...

Ancelotti has the pedigree, but seems to have lost his mojo. Or maybe the Caf's latest best young manager in the league at the time Jose goes. I don't see it helping if Jose leaves, club needs some stability and Jose has vastly improved the team and club during his tenure. Shame some are so ungrateful.

 

[desmondisback]

Not sure why anyone would be happy to see him leave. Who else is out there that's better? There isn't...

Rubbish. There are loads of managers out there who are achieving really great things within the tiny resources they have who would love to have a go. Many of them never get the chance to show what they can do.

Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves has bought really well and got them playing some really really good football. I find myself wondering what he might be able to achieve with our resources? The problem is that you are looking for a proven CL or Premier league winner , but how can a manager win anything like that unless someone gives them a shot at it in the first place??

Catch 22 maybe?

 

[kotha]

Do people expect Sarri or Tuchel or Nagelsmann to work their style of play with our squad?

It'll be the same thing again,they take year or two to clear some players and get people in who can play that high pressing game.. Meanwhile the same fans will lose their shit and start recommending some other manager..

Whether we like it or not we have to be patient.. Jose is building the squad. I would like us to play fast paced counterattacking football too.. But we need to get a good squad..

 

[el3mel]

The kind of articles we only see after a loss.

Hopefully it'll keep the moaners busy here away from other threads.

 

[VeevaVee]

I liked the days when you'd know your manager was your manager and you didn't have to deal with them being another transfer saga.

 

[el3mel]

Rubbish. There are loads of managers out there who are achieving really great things within the tiny resources they have who would love to have a go. Many of them never get the chance to show what they can do.

Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves has bought really well and got them playing some really really good football. I find myself wondering what he might be able to achieve with our resources? The problem is that you are looking for a proven CL or Premier league winner , but how can a manager win anything like that unless someone gives them a shot at it in the first place??

Catch 22 maybe?

Feck sake.

 

[ghagua]

Good luck on your move Mourinho.

 

[deafepl]

Yes , and I would sooner take a punt on someone than play it "safe". You have to risk finishing 9th to have a chance of 1st.

Me neither, with Jose as manager, nobody is scared of us especially top club because they all know that he wouldn't take a game to the big club and let United get bullied into being submission and sit back like they want opponents to feck them and smash them. If we had Sarri, opponents would be more scared of us with him as managers, even though top opponents wouldn't want to dream of drawing with us in the champions league.

We desperately need a manager that can make us world beater like Pep did at City and not scared of taking a game against top opponents.

 

[Bepi]

You need Conte and he may even be available in June, if he likes the weather and the city more than Mou

 

[Suedesi]

Whilst I think Mourinho is a great manager, something does not seem right in his relationship with Man Utd: the never ending whispers about Paris, about how much he likes that city, how he still hasn't settled in Manchester etc.

I suspect, at this point, both parties are looking for the next move already. I like Mou, but at this moment he's grumpy Mou and we can do a lot better than grumpy Mou.

 

[dove]

Do people expect Sarri or Tuchel or Nagelsmann to work their style of play with our squad?

It'll be the same thing again,they take year or two to clear some players and get people in who can play that high pressing game.. Meanwhile the same fans will lose their shit and start recommending some other manager..

Whether we like it or not we have to be patient.. Jose is building the squad. I would like us to fast paced counterattacking football too.. But we need to get a good squad..

Oh, there are lots of deluded people over here who expect exactly that.

 

[Suedesi]

Not sure why he’d want to leave - does he not want to beat Pep to the title?

Maybe he's realized, he can't.

 

[DannyCAFC]

2nd in the league
2nd most goals scored
Joint 1st for goals conceded
One of the best defensive records in Europe
One of the best home records in Europe
Goals per game way up from LvG and top 12 in Europe atm
Points per games way up from Lvg and top 9 in Europe atm
Back in the CL, coasting through groups and a good chance of making last 8 (compared to bowing out at the GS/not qualifying)

I remember when you lot were losing at OT in the PL to Norwich, Swansea and West Brom ffs.

He's vastly improved United and some of you lot are too blind to see it.

I get the frustration at the gap between you and City - fact is they're having a historic season and blame it on the board as their City counterparts have been making smarter commercial and footballing decisions since as far back as Fergie still being in charge and it's paying dividends down the line.

Mourinho is the guy restoring the balance, building United back to where they need to be and succeeding at it. What are you gonna do, sack him half way through that ongoing and working process and replace him with a flavour of the month manager?

I half hope he goes, at least then you'll probably end up appreciating the job he did when you end up back finishing 6th.

 

[dove]

2nd in the league
2nd most goals scored
Joint 1st for goals conceded
One of the best defensive records in Europe
One of the best home records in Europe
Goals per game way up from LvG and top 12 in Europe atm
Points per games way up from Lvg and top 9 in Europe atm
Back in the CL, coasting through groups and a good chance of making last 8 (compared to bowing out at the GS/not qualifying)

I remember when you lot were losing at OT in the PL to Norwich, Swansea and West Brom ffs.

He's vastly improved United and some of you lot are too blind to see it.

I get the frustration at the gap between you and City - fact is they're having a historic season and blame it on the board as their City counterparts have been making smarter commercial and footballing decisions since as far back as Fergie still being in charge and it's paying dividends down the line.

Mourinho is the guy restoring the balance, building United back to where they need to be and succeeding at it. What are you gonna do, sack him half way through that ongoing and working process and replace him with a flavour of the month manager?

I half hope he goes, at least then you'll probably end up appreciating the job he did when you end up back finishing 6th.

Stop talking sense

 

[el3mel]

2nd in the league
2nd most goals scored
Joint 1st for goals conceded
One of the best defensive records in Europe
One of the best home records in Europe
Goals per game way up from LvG and top 12 in Europe atm
Points per games way up from Lvg and top 9 in Europe atm
Back in the CL, coasting through groups and a good chance of making last 8 (compared to bowing out at the GS/not qualifying)

I remember when you lot were losing at OT in the PL to Norwich, Swansea and West Brom ffs.

He's vastly improved United and some of you lot are too blind to see it.

I get the frustration at the gap between you and City - fact is they're having a historic season and blame it on the board as their City counterparts have been making smarter commercial and footballing decisions since as far back as Fergie still being in charge and it's paying dividends down the line.

Mourinho is the guy restoring the balance, building United back to where they need to be and succeeding at it. What are you gonna do, sack him half way through that ongoing and working process and replace him with a flavour of the month manager?

I half hope he goes, at least then you'll probably end up appreciating the job he did when you end up back finishing 6th.

Looks terrible when another club supporter is more reasonable than our fickle fans tbh.

 

[izec]

Dont care, he isnt here for the long haul anyway. If he leaves now or next year, not much will change for us. He will improve us a bit next year again, but i doubt we will win the big trophies under him and i dont see him staying here for too long

 

[milemuncher777]

2nd in the league
2nd most goals scored
Joint 1st for goals conceded
One of the best defensive records in Europe
One of the best home records in Europe
Goals per game way up from LvG and top 12 in Europe atm
Points per games way up from Lvg and top 9 in Europe atm
Back in the CL, coasting through groups and a good chance of making last 8 (compared to bowing out at the GS/not qualifying)

I remember when you lot were losing at OT in the PL to Norwich, Swansea and West Brom ffs.

He's vastly improved United and some of you lot are too blind to see it.

I get the frustration at the gap between you and City - fact is they're having a historic season and blame it on the board as their City counterparts have been making smarter commercial and footballing decisions since as far back as Fergie still being in charge and it's paying dividends down the line.

Mourinho is the guy restoring the balance, building United back to where they need to be and succeeding at it. What are you gonna do, sack him half way through that ongoing and working process and replace him with a flavour of the month manager?

I half hope he goes, at least then you'll probably end up appreciating the job he did when you end up back finishing 6th.

Great post

 

[kotha]

Oh, there are lots of deluded people over here who expect exactly that.

Ya.. I think there are people of other clubs masquerading as united supporters.. I mean someone actually said ,he would rather us take a risk at finishing 9th saying it might give us a chance at finishing 1st.. As if being being 2nd in the league with more deadwood being replaced doesn't give us a better chance at coming 1st.. Mind boggles..

 

[JPRouve]

2nd in the league
2nd most goals scored
Joint 1st for goals conceded
One of the best defensive records in Europe
One of the best home records in Europe
Goals per game way up from LvG and top 12 in Europe atm
Points per games way up from Lvg and top 9 in Europe atm
Back in the CL, coasting through groups and a good chance of making last 8 (compared to bowing out at the GS/not qualifying)

I remember when you lot were losing at OT in the PL to Norwich, Swansea and West Brom ffs.

He's vastly improved United and some of you lot are too blind to see it.

I get the frustration at the gap between you and City - fact is they're having a historic season and blame it on the board as their City counterparts have been making smarter commercial and footballing decisions since as far back as Fergie still being in charge and it's paying dividends down the line.

Mourinho is the guy restoring the balance, building United back to where they need to be and succeeding at it. What are you gonna do, sack him half way through that ongoing and working process and replace him with a flavour of the month manager?

I half hope he goes, at least then you'll probably end up appreciating the job he did when you end up back finishing 6th.

I will only talk for myself but I have never liked Mourinho and I probably never will but he is a good manager and he was the best available so I was behind his appointment. Today I still don't like him, I don't enjoy the ride but I still don't want him out, because there is no one that I consider better and available or realistic. I assume that a lot of posters are like me, stuck with Mourinho more than anything else.