Jose Mourinho's Utd

[Verminator]

I tried saying it and nearly vomited could be worse imagine if our lads had to regaal

All o de gaal dem.

 

[Obiorahking_]

I watched it, City away right? That Rashford pass was good, the Mata tiki taka looked fun (although not sure what use it had). But funnily enough that quite easy through ball he gave on Martial/Rashford (cant remember), he overhit that pass to miss a clear goalscoring opportunity. He's not the only one who does that, Lingard, Rooney, Herrera, Fellaini for example often miss that finesse to just pull of those game-changing passes to actully score and create. Missed the 2 Scholes-esque passes I think, didnt see anything too impressive beside that.

Let's hope, if we play him any more advanced than CDM, it's squeaky bum time for me, play against another elite club and have Schneiderlin up as one of your directors, playmakers, creator etc and I think you'll get found out. But at CDM, I think in time he could be an excellent fit.

I too think he could be an excellent fit, all we need is the right players to compliment him(Pogba, Herrera) and a coach who can use him effectively(Mourinho)

 

[Oneunited26]

I'm no fan of Rooney, but no. Perhaps in Mata's case, yes but even then he is more of a poacher when it comes to his goalscoring ability which is not at all what you seek in a no10 in this kind of system. Furthermore, if both he and Rooney reach their top form(big ?), I would back the latter to score more, and by quite a bit. But I really don't understand why people still wan't to see him play as a no10. Even at Chelsea, he was more of a second striker rather than a 10 and the games he has been put there in recent times; he didn't do anything special whatsoever. He's very overrated by some on here to be honest. If anything, our best option at no10 is Mikhitaryan, however he is also very effective off the right, unlike Mata. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that for Mata to shine, we would have to build the team around him in a way, and he is no where near good enough to warrant that, IMO.

I agree with mou on this one, he should be back up to that postion. Also do you not remember Herreras games as a no10 ? He had one good performance there out of around 6 or 7(dont remember exactly) but I do remember he wasn't nearly as effective there as alot, myself included, expected him to be.

I do agree with you however that Rooney isn't the best choice for that position.

Herrera not an out an out no10, but more or less in the lampard position in a 433 where he has freedom to roam and link up play, we saw how good herrera can be in 2015 when we played that 433, you would hope with Morgan, pogba, martial, Mikh and zlaten around herrera, it could very much work

 

[Obiorahking_]

For real for real I just want to win and hold the treble by the end of the season. I don't care if we have to park the fecking marine tank just to grind out a1-0 win. Feck attractive football lets dominate.

 

[itso 7]

I too think he could be an excellent fit, all we need is the right players to compliment him(Pogba, Herrera) and a coach who can use him effectively(Mourinho)

Aren't Pogba and Herrera too attack minded to effectively play in one team even in a midfield three? I know Herrera is an excellent presser but I think we'd need an absolute tank as a DM to make it work.

 

[Obiorahking_]

Aren't Pogba and Herrera too attack minded to effectively play in one team even in a midfield three? I know Herrera is an excellent presser but I think we'd need an absolute tank as a DM to make it work.

Herrera isn't going to start.

 

[itso 7]

Herrera isn't going to start.

I know, I was arguing against the case of him starting with Pogba as two b2b CMs in front of a DM. I think we'd need a prime Fletcher in place of Herrera in such a set up.

 

[Obiorahking_]

I know, I was arguing against the case of him starting with Pogba as two b2b CMs in front of a DM. I think we'd need a prime Fletcher in place of Herrera in such a set up.

Herrera is underrated for his defensive work as is Pogba. Both players work hard to win the ball back after they lose it and play good team defense as well.

 

[Amadaeus]

With the potential of signing Pogba, he has not missed a beat with his habit of spending big with each clubs he goes to. Perhaps that is one of his formula for success as it worked for Machester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid in the past.

 

[Millertime88]

All o de gaal dem.

brilliant

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Am I right in thinking that in two years under Van Gaal we never once scored 5 goals, in any game, against any opposition?

 

[Pexbo]

Am I right in thinking that in two years under Van Gaal we never once scored 5 goals, in any game, against any opposition?

We beat Midgetland 5-1, Rashford getting a hat-trick.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

We beat Midgetland 5-1, Rashford getting a hat-trick.

Ok. So Mourinho's taken 3 games to achieve what Van Gaal managed once in 103. Good stuff.

 

[pre Munich Red]

He's done it before so he should be able to do it again but times change and players seem to have more power these days. I get the feeling that SAF ruled with a rod of iron in the end and could almost demand a good performance but Jose will have to coax a decent performance using his very best people skills. I'll be watching for the early signs, and like someone else on here has already noted, he used to build his teams from the back and I would expect him to do the same now. If the defence shuts out on a regular basis it'll be a good sign. I'm expecting this to happen. Even if they don't score many but don't concede in the first few games this will be a good sign. One nil, nil nil, one nil will be a very good start. I really think the start is crucial for Jose. I agree the tactics of his recent teams hasn't been obvious and I thought this when Chelsea won the prem in 2015. They started the season pretty well and after a while were playing some excellent passing football but this changed at Xmas and defence became more important. Tottenham bashed us at WHL on boxing day and he reverted to defence after that. Those tactics got us over the line and you can't argue if you win in the end but the early form seemed to be of the players making. Hazard was creating a lot and going round opposing players at will. Costa was bashing his way into the scoring books and Matic was holding the midfield. I would have thought most tactics would work with players like that at the top of their form. They were motivated and were playing for each other. For me Jose's main quality is that he motivates his players to levels they haven't reached before. And here lies the problem. When things aren't going well a good tactician can change things around and can fall back on his tactical knowledge to get him through. Intelligent players understand this and will work with a manager on this. Jose is strong on motivation and if this goes wrong the problem is harder to fix. How do you fix an unmotivated player?
I'm sure it's not as simple as this but when you have been psychologically damaged like all Chelsea fans were last season you start to think all sorts of things.

Any info on why Mou 'lost the dressing room' at Chelsea last season?

 

[::sonny::]

Too weak defensively, the 4 back have not any protection.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Ok. So Mourinho's taken 3 games to achieve what Van Gaal managed once in 103. Good stuff.

I would have sweared that you were very much in the LVG camp. You seem to hate the Idiot's tenure as much as i do.

 

[GJNJ]

Am I right in thinking that in two years under Van Gaal we never once scored 5 goals, in any game, against any opposition?

LA Galaxy 7-0

 

[GJNJ]

I would have sweared that you were very much in the LVG camp. You seem to hate the Idiot's tenure as much as i do.

Wasn't everyone in the early days....at least until the Swansea match.

 

[GifLord]

Ok. So Mourinho's taken 3 games to achieve what Van Gaal managed once in 103. Good stuff.

1st match

7-0 vs LA

 

[goldenballs]

The speed of Martial and Rashford, mixed with the guile and experience of Zlatan, topped with the passing range Pogba (Should we get him) is a recipe to savour.

 

[royboy16]

Am I right in thinking that in two years under Van Gaal we never once scored 5 goals, in any game, against any opposition?

We put 7 past LA Galaxy.

 

[sugar_kane]

Surprised to see him playing Blind at centre back, Mata on the wing, Valencia/Young as full backs, etc. following his proclamation about preferring specialists over utility players.

This seemed like a clear dig at LVG so I'm surprised to see him hold true to these big positional changes LVG made.

I'm not complaining - I actually think Blind and Valencia are excellent in their current positions.

 

[JPRouve]

Surprised to see him playing Blind at centre back, Mata on the wing, Valencia/Young as full backs, etc. following his proclamation about preferring specialists over utility players.

This seemed like a clear dig at LVG so I'm surprised to see him hold true to these big positional changes LVG made.

I'm not complaining - I actually think Blind and Valencia are excellent in their current positions.

Blind played in central defense for Ajax and Mata only played as a #10 if I'm not mistaken.

 

[GJNJ]

Surprised to see him playing Blind at centre back, Mata on the wing, Valencia/Young as full backs, etc. following his proclamation about preferring specialists over utility players.

This seemed like a clear dig at LVG so I'm surprised to see him hold true to these big positional changes LVG made.

I'm not complaining - I actually think Blind and Valencia are excellent in their current positions.

I thought Mata played number 10, but in this system they are allowed freedom in attack. He came really deep at times too.

I think young at RB was because after the subs there was no one else to play RB.

I was certain Mourinho wouldn't have Blind as a CB, and thought that that Val wouldn't be a RB under him as not great defensively. It will be instresting to see if he takes this into competitive games or if this is just about giving people

 

[GifLord]

Blind played in central defense for Ajax and Mata only played as a #10 if I'm not mistaken.

I never ever saw Blind playing as a CB before moving to UTD. He played as a CM/DM and sometimes as a LB for Ajax

edit: here's his stats from Whoscored season 2013/14
He only played 1 match as a CB and was piss poor

Position Apps Goals Assists Rating
MC (Midfielder - Centre) 20 1 1 7.48
DL (Defender - Left) 16 0 0 6.98
ML (Midfielder - Left) 2 0 3 8.04
DC (Defender - Centre) 1 0 0 6.13

 

[broccoli]

Having followed Mou's career since his Leiria days, there are game principles that haven't changed much. His teams like to overload the flanks to strike combinations and quick one-twos to create space in dangerous areas. Most people don't see the same principles in Madrid and Chelsea for instance, but it's a matter of having the right and the better players.
The introdution of Zlatan in the team wasn't because of their friendship. He adds another vital dimension to United's game. When the flanks are well locked by the opposition or the wingers are not dangerous for some reason (see Hazard), extending the game opens space in the mid and having there a mix of technical and fast players to combine will often work and that's where Zlatan fits.
Obviously he will also be an asset when everything goes wrong except a Valencia cross.
Now i fink Jose will be more successful than his last stint at Chelsea because he will find here players with better technique and, of course, not looking to backstab him, yet...

 

[sugar_kane]

I never ever saw Blind playing as a CB before moving to UTD. He played as a CM/DM and sometimes as a LB for Ajax

edit: here's his stats from Whoscored season 2013/14
He only played 1 match as a CB and was piss poor

Position Apps Goals Assists Rating
MC (Midfielder - Centre) 20 1 1 7.48
DL (Defender - Left) 16 0 0 6.98
ML (Midfielder - Left) 2 0 3 8.04
DC (Defender - Centre) 1 0 0 6.13

Yeah my understanding was that he was played seldomly at centre back because he was shite for Ajax/Holland there.

When LVG began to play him there last pre season it was a big deal but he turned out to be class there after a shaky start.

I did however strongly believe Jose wouldn't be into it tho and would either move him back to DM or ship him out.

Glad it doesn't seem like it will happen. Smalling/Jones Bailly/Blind with Fosu Mensah and Rojo also available isn't a terrible CB situation to have for next season.

 

[datura]

The main difference I've noticed has been that the front 4 have a licence to roam rather than being so disciplined positionally.

 

[Slavkov]

Having followed Mou's career since his Leiria days, there are game principles that haven't changed much. His teams like to overload the flanks to strike combinations and quick one-twos to create space in dangerous areas. Most people don't see the same principles in Madrid and Chelsea for instance, but it's a matter of having the right and the better players.
The introdution of Zlatan in the team wasn't because of their friendship. He adds another vital dimension to United's game. When the flanks are well locked by the opposition or the wingers are not dangerous for some reason (see Hazard), extending the game opens space in the mid and having there a mix of technical and fast players to combine will often work and that's where Zlatan fits.
Obviously he will also be an asset when everything goes wrong except a Valencia cross.
Now i fink Jose will be more successful than his last stint at Chelsea because he will find here players with better technique and, of course, not looking to backstab him, yet...

Well, I do not agree with you mate...how did his Inter overload the flanks?? Maicon was probably his only player that provided width to the team with Pandev occasionaly played closer to the flank but went inside as often as he could. I think he is a good enough coach to be able to adapt to the surroundings. And his Chelsea and Madrid sides definitely played very wide and used the flanks to create space with his wingers/inverted forwards using the space to go centrally.

 

[Slavkov]

I wrote something similar in a different thread. I really think that Blind and Schneiderlin can step up and the do a decent job for us (especially the former) but I think that the main problem in this side stems from the fact that not only dont we have a very good defensive midfielder, someone who knows where to position himself, how to protect the back four and to steal the ball from the opponent, but we also lack leadership in our defense( back4 and goalkeeper), someone who can organize and control from inside the pitch. This will result in some problems defensively and in my opinion we have to address that. Nevertheless I have the utmost confidence in our manager and am 100% sure he will address that problem. I am of the opinion that Blind has the characteristics to be a very good defensive midfielder but I am not sure whether the last 2-3 years when he changed 3 positions have not had their toll on him...

 

[JPRouve]

I never ever saw Blind playing as a CB before moving to UTD. He played as a CM/DM and sometimes as a LB for Ajax

edit: here's his stats from Whoscored season 2013/14
He only played 1 match as a CB and was piss poor

Position Apps Goals Assists Rating
MC (Midfielder - Centre) 20 1 1 7.48
DL (Defender - Left) 16 0 0 6.98
ML (Midfielder - Left) 2 0 3 8.04
DC (Defender - Centre) 1 0 0 6.13

I said he played there, not that he played there regularly, he started 1 game and switched during games a handful of times. He also played attacking midfielder.

 

[broccoli]

Well, I do not agree with you mate...how did his Inter overload the flanks?? Maicon was probably his only player that provided width to the team with Pandev occasionaly played closer to the flank but went inside as often as he could. I think he is a good enough coach to be able to adapt to the surroundings. And his Chelsea and Madrid sides definitely played very wide and used the flanks to create space with his wingers/inverted forwards using the space to go centrally.

It's true that he changed formations and adapted systems to the league he was. Also true that he didn't use traditional wingers in Italy, except Pandev for instance against Barca to help close down the left flank while Eto'o was defending the right side. But the point is, he still used overloads and 1-2s combinations to generate danger as well as intelligent runs to stretch the defence. But well, i'm falling into general gameplay ideas. It's just that his main principles aren't defensive per se, it's the players and circumstance that dictate it.

About which players Mourinho favours, we all know he likes specialists. But his tactics need intelligent players to make it work. We have seen pretty average joes in his best teams that didn't offer much other than brains, Arbeloa, Paulo Ferreira, a bunch of them in Inter, etc. But then he also needs runners (Valencia, Lingard), thinkers (Carrick, Miki) and of course, the match winner mentality must be there somewhere.

 

[Slavkov]

It's true that he changed formations and adapted systems to the league he was. Also true that he didn't use traditional wingers in Italy, except Pandev for instance against Barca to help close down the left flank while Eto'o was defending the right side. But the point is, he still used overloads and 1-2s combinations to generate danger as well as intelligent runs to stretch the defence. But well, i'm falling into general gameplay ideas. It's just that his main principles aren't defensive per se, it's the players and circumstance that dictate it.

About which players Mourinho favours, we all know he likes specialists. But his tactics need intelligent players to make it work. We have seen pretty average joes in his best teams that didn't offer much other than brains, Arbeloa, Paulo Ferreira, a bunch of them in Inter, etc. But then he also needs runners (Valencia, Lingard), thinkers (Carrick, Miki) and of course, the match winner mentality must be there somewhere.

Absolutely agree with everything you say. I have misunderstood your argument as if he liked to overload the wings, etc..

 

[Nobby style]

Kind of weird that in the first half when Jose had his staring 11, we played that dire, boring as feck football everybody used to slag him off for, and then in the second half when he replaced it with basically the side Van Gaal built, we looked fantastic.

 

[Sweet Square]

Kind of weird that in the first half when Jose had his staring 11, we played that dire, boring as feck football everybody used to slag him off for, and then in the second half when he replaced it with basically the side Van Gaal built, we looked fantastic.

A lot of people(Including MUTV commentary)seem to have forgotten that this team has just recently won a trophy.

 

[Nobby style]

A lot of people(Including MUTV commentary)seem to have forgotten that this team has just recently won a trophy.

Yeah, don´t want to put too much stock in it, but Van Gaal seems to have a bit of fame for building sides. It´s almost as if Jose wants to dismantle an important part of what Van Gaal was building by immediately displacing three (four) of Louis´ favs - Rashford, Blind and Lindgard/Mata. Let´s see if it works, or will he be obliged to go back to that second half line up. Way too early to tell.

 

[Red Dreams]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/jose-mourinhos-new-seating-plan-8556558?

Mourinho's new dugout seating.

I like it.

 

[Marcelinho87]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/jose-mourinhos-new-seating-plan-8556558?

Mourinho's new dugout seating.

I like it.

Yeah I like that too.

 

[Red Dreams]

Yeah I like that too.

easy for Jose and Rui to get in the face of the ref and our own players

 

[Marcelinho87]

easy for Jose and Rui to get in the face of the ref and our own players

Yep, non of the faffing about up and down stairs to give the players a kick up the arse.