That was because ManUtd was closer to other top teams when Jose took over, compared to now where we are miles below them. Liverpool and City went miles ahead while we regressed. If Ole or someone else took over the squad in 2016-17, expectations would have been the same, if Jose took over ManUtd today, expectations won't be same as it was in 2016-17.
The fact that he still has worshipers is more amusing (not saying you are btw). What he says on Sky is not something that is unknown to many, even Moyes pointed out the mistakes, Van Gaal pointed out the mistakes. Take few from redcafe and put them in Sky studio they will tell we have problems and point out the mistakes. We don't need people who are only good enough to point out mistakes, we need people/managers who can correct those mistakes.
In reality, though, that team Mourinho took over was not really any better than what we have now. The league was far weaker in 15/16 in comparison to last season, yet we scored less goals in 15/16 and finished with exactly the same amount of points. The team Mourinho took over was nothing short of crap.
Strikers: Martial, Rashford, Depay (useless), Rooney (finished)
Midfield: Schneiderlin (useless), Mata, Herrera, Carrick (pretty much finished) Lingard, Fellaini, Schweinsteiger (Not much to say there)
Defence: Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Valencia, Young
Goalkeeper: De Gea