First i would give Mourinho another summer window and then 12 months from now to judge him! But for the sake of the argument this is how my 3 years plan(article style) for "saving" us! Doing the same as every other failing multibillion$ corporation would do:
1. Set yearly goals:
Year 1: Qualify for CL.
Year 2: Use CL qualification to lure some top players to the club. Challenge for PL-title.
Year 3:Win PL and challenge for CL-win (Semifinals).
2. Benchmarking:
Compare us to the best current teams in Europe(Juventus and Reak Madrid) in regards to squad composition and tactics. Hopefully see some differences in how we play and what abilities players in certain positions should have.
3. Most likely findings from the benchmarking:
Tactics: The use of traditional wingers is outdated. When team is in possession of the ball the "wingers" goes central supporting the lone striker and with a somewhat free roaming role. Fullbacks pushed high taking the role as wingers on both sides. Putting in crosses, while the "wingers" are in the box. Also one holding/sitting midfielder, so called destroyer with decent technical, but good physical abilities. All players should be comfortable on the ball, playing short, fast passes on small areas. Recommend watching this video-analysis of how Real Madrid play:
youtube
Squad composition/player abilities: Players in general are more balanced in regards to abilities, meaning that a defender should be able to play technical, or an attacker should be able to defend to some degree. Furthermore the need for physical abilities: you can't be slow and weak at the same time(called a hobbit), especially important for wide players.
4. Tactics and formations:
I would like to differentiate between attacking(on the ball) and defensive(off the ball) tactics. Attacking tactics should not so much be dependent on who you play, whereas defensive tactics should(especially against top teams.).
Attacking T&F: Straight out copy the way Real Madrid play, as shown in the video. On paper a 4-3-3 but not really so. Fullbacks playing as wingers, wingers going central etc. 3 in the midfield where one is holding/destroyer, 1 is the playmaker/spielfuhrer and the third is a more dynamic attacking B2B.
Defensive T/F: Dependent on opposition, but usually 4-4-2, where one winger goes into the midfield and the other as striker. High pressure, try forcing long balls and win possession.
5. Squad composition/Transfers(DDG stay or go? Who knows? Will not touch the subject). Have more or less a clear 1/2 second string.
Will sell/release these players the first window:
Rooney - Finished.
Zlatan - Due to injury.
Blind - Weak for a CB, slow for a FB. And actually not that good on the ball.
Jones - Injuries
Smalling - Injuries
Shaw - Has the qualities of a modern FB, but the injuries. Get the money while we can.
Darmian - Would have been a great fullback in 1960.
Mata - Hobbit.
Januzai - Attitude, lack of coachability etc.
Total: 75£-100£
Transfers in(Some of the transfers might not come, based on the no CL fact):
Starting LB -
Emerson, Roma. Fast, crossing, dribbling got it all. Not more than 30£.
Starting CB -
Van Dijk, Southampton. Strong, fast, technical defender. Uncertainty regarding lack of CL. 50£ max.
Starting CDM - Hopefully
Fabinho, but he may not want to come. Then i would go for a short term solution in
Luiz Gustavo. Big, strong, "only" 29, decent on the ball. 20£
Starting RB -
Aurier. Second string in PSG, rumored this summer anyways. National link with Bailly. 25£ max.
Attacking player -
Thomas Lemar. Versatile attacking player. Might be going to Juventus though. 40£. Other options would be
Bruma at Galatasaray. Since we got no CL then no
Dybala or
Griezmann.
Backup CB -
Micheal Keane. If it is true that we managed to bake in a re-signing clause in the contract for only 15£, then sign him up.
Backup CF - Defoe on free. 15 goals for Sunderland managed by Moyes. Says it all. Short term.
Backup CDM -
Soualiho Meïté, 23, Zulte Waregem(loaned from Lille). 15£. Wanyama with two feet and technique. Don't know why he hasn't been linked to a big club yet.
Total: 185£
Keep Carrick and Fellaini for another year.
6. Lineup(Clear first 11 and second 11)
Giving us a first 11(Second string) 4-3-3(Same tactics as Real Madrid):
DDG(Romero)
Aurier(Tony V) - Bailly(Keane) - Van Dijk(Rojo) - Emerson(Young)
Herrera(Carrick) - L. Gustavo(Meïté) - Pogba(Fellaini)
Lemar(MhikiT) - Rashford(Defoe) - Martial(Lingard)
Additional youngsters like Tanuezebe and TFM given playtime in cups etc. Pereira kept and be tried as a midfielder as he has in LaLiga this season. And replace Fellaini if he is usable.
7. Season 2 transfers(Assuming that we get CL qualification
)
Young - Replaced by some young LB. Like Ryan Sessegnon.
Carrick retired -
Leandro Paredes, Roma, in. Great passing and vision. Long and short balls. Can attack and tackle, control the game. Herrera moved to second string.
Fellaini sold - Some fast B2B midfielder,
Naby Keita,
Saul,
Koke or something like that.
Defoe out - Break the bank for
Dybala.
8. Season 3 Transfers:
Splash cash on world class replacements for Gustavo and Mhikyarian. Too far into the future to name specifics.
So why might this work:
1. Real Madrids tactics is really simple, modern and made for breaking down teams that park the bus against them.
2. Replacing so many players the first season does not necessarily mean that the squad needs time to settle or that it will be useless for 6 months. Remember that Mourinho sold 8+ and bought 8+ players his first season at Chelsea and still won the league comfortably.
3. Having players with abilities suited to their position might be an idea? I mean Blind as a CB, or let Darmian touch the ball above midfield.