Is Jose Mourinho’s first term in charge of Manchester United a pass or a fail? No disrespect to the prestige of the League Cup, but the verdict depends wholly on Thursday’s Europa League showdown with Ajax.
Having given up on a top-four finish, Mourinho is banking on Europa triumph to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Victory may well paper over the cracks of a faltering campaign, but fans are right to be unimpressed.
United have registered 15 draws in the Premier League ‒ the most in the division ‒ with one round remaining. The Old Trafford faithful may have been spoiled by years of swashbuckling dominance under Alex Ferguson, but they’re hardly demanding achievements beyond their station.
As of 2017, United has the highest revenue of any club in football. More than Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea or whoever else you care to mention.
Blaming injuries, scheduling or referees doesn’t wash when you’re working with a blank cheque. There’s no such thing as bad luck at a club with United’s resources ‒ only bad management.
A squad that boasts the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Juan Mata should be able to dominate opponents, at least occasionally. Instead, the season has been a dirge, with Mourinho’s charges somehow less than the sum of their parts.
United have notched four or more goals only once in the league. Compare that to their rivals Spurs (9), Liverpool (7), Chelsea, Man City, and Arsenal (all 5). Even Everton have done it four times.
In the meantime, the Portuguese has alienated many by throwing players under the bus, most notably Luke Shaw. Managers can earn patience if it’s clear they’re building towards something. So too if they seem like a good egg. However, on-field impotence paired with Mourinho’s sourness off it have left the club desperately short of feel good factor.
(AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
At a glance, there’s no denying Mourinho’s CV. He’s won titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain. He also has two Champions League medals from his stints at Porto and Inter.
But there’s a distinct pattern to his career. Two seasons at Porto. Three at Chelsea. Two at Inter. Three at Real Madrid. Two-and-a-half back at Chelsea. Many of these exits are listed as being ‘by mutual consent’ which, for those playing at home, is a euphemism for ‘acrimony’. Whatever his method, it appears to have diminishing returns.
(Image via Tsutomu Takasu, Wikimedia Commons)
With Sunday’s clash against Crystal Palace the curtain call ahead of Ajax, the concern is that Mourinho has no regard for momentum ‒ not to mention the goodwill of fans. Both are major oversights for a manager of his experience.
United’s recent league form reads: five games, zero wins, three draws (Southampton, Swansea, Man City), two losses (Arsenal, Tottenham), and a whopping two goals scored.
Mourinho admitted this week that the team to face Crystal Palace will essentially be a sacrificial lambs XI. When asked if there was anything to be gained from the match, he said “No, the only positive is to save my players for Wednesday.”
“For the kids it will be a big occasion. But I think the best debut for a young player is in the middle of an experienced structure where he can be supported. To play so many kids at the same time, honestly I don’t think it’s good.”
Throughout the press conference, Mourinho acted like every word he was obliged to utter was an unbearable imposition. He’s always been reluctant to promote youth players, unless as a last resort or to spite defiant first-teamers.
Arrogance has always been a handicap for forward planning. This is a man who’s taken a route entirely of his own choosing, dropping excuses along the way like breadcrumbs should he need to explain his way out.
Football management is often a catchment for curmudgeons, but Mourinho’s unique brand of smug-sour has become particularly grating. The mask slipped during his shambolic final season with Chelsea, and it remains askew. His commitment to sucking the joy out of football means I will always find his failures hilarious.
When things kick off in Stockholm on Thursday, I doubt I’ll be the only neutral cheering on Ajax.
buddy
Guest
Interesting reading the comments about building dynasties and taking time to build success. I rather get the impression at Man Utd that the club wants instant success. Evidence of parting company with Sir Alex's first two successors suggests the need for instant gratification and JM hasn't fared any better than either Mr Moyes or LVG in many respects. However, two cups in a season (however minor) might be enough to save him or perhaps the owners have had a change of heart and given him a longer period of time to bring back "the glory days". I haven't figured it out yet as what appeared to be a fairly haphazard or unplanned buying policy last summer seemed to reek of a desire to win something with a team of superstars - except they weren't. As for winning well or just winning. That is always the ultimate test for a fan and his/her patience. When faced with the prospect of finishing somewhere between 2nd and 5th but playing some very attractive football ( a la beautiful game) or finishing top with a pile of 1-0 wins and hard fought ground out wins...which do you choose? In my experience, it is position 1st on just about every occasion. First learn to win, and then learn to win well. There is little consolation in stating that the team played some exciting football but finished 4th - everyone wants to be winners just as in Gavin's last paragraph above.
Gavin
Guest
I can believe we have made sacrifices for Europa because for quite some time, its been our best shot at breaking back into the Champions League. United fans aren't used to it, but a trophy is a trophy. It'd rather win the Premier League, but I'd take a Europa League title over the FA Cup. He made the right calls with team selections the past few weeks; the eyes have always been on the Europa title and nothing can distract them, and we can't afford injuries after the horror run we have had. And no one remembers how a team won the title, all history will show is the title, and Jose is a winner. He may not always win pretty, but do Arsenal enjoy playing "pretty" football and coming 4th? We have played well in patches and I expect things to come together in devastating fashion next season, particularly if we land Griezman.
Bfc
Guest
Yet...United have given debuts' to a few teenagers from the Youth Team...? I am sure some of our more keen statisticians know the numbers, but is seemed to me that Mourhino gave more Youth players a game than most of the top sides?
The Doc
Roar Guru
Great read Charlie. With final day action just hours away- I enjoyed reading an anti united and anti Jose article. Agree with everything and hearing much the same from united supporters. They cannot believe their are sacrificing competitions for Europa. As the biggest club in the world it is just not something they are used to. They have played well at times though and dominated matches without having that killer punch. As a fellow neutral and united hater we are all hoping Ajax do the job and Jose. The brutal pragmatist in me though respects Jose for making the decisions in the best interest of his team. No point risking injury/fatigue when the main prize is Europa. A case of damned if you damned if you don't- with a big injury list if He plays a starter and they get injured then he will cop it all week for playing them. Jose may have short term tenures but his penchant for winning is unparalleled. Love him or hate him he always delivers trophies and fans cannot have it both ways. He has always had great access to resources but that does not gurantee you success as plenty of managers have found out.
Nemesis
Guest
At their best this season, I've enjoyed watching Man United this season. Too many dropped points from matches that should have been won. A mixture of poor finishing, woodwork & outstanding goalkeeping is all that keeps United from a Top 4 spot this season. But, that's not bad football. That's just football. If United weren't creating huge number of chances that would be the concern. There's nothing wrong with the style of football under Mourinho. If Jose wins the Europa League, United is back in the UCL.
Charlie Lawry
Roar Guru
I think they'll give him another year regardless, but I agree he should go. He doesn't build healthy clubs.
jamesb
Guest
As an Arsenal fan, it has been a tough season. The club and the manager have come under fire from critics worldwide. And in some ways, justifiably so. Many have questioned that Arsenal is only interested in finishing in the top four for champions league and not gunning for titles. Meanwhile, Man U brought over Mourinho and comparitly to Arsenal, spent huge on players. And yet despite all this, Arsenal and Wenger will finish ahead of Man U and Mourinho on the EPL ladder. Man U may end up playing champions league with a win in the Europa, but I get the feeling that it's papering over the cracks for Man U and Mourinho.
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
Any of the big managers in the EPL such as Conte, Klopp, Guardiola, Pochettino but I am not sure they would move at it would be seen as a step down. I am not a Man U so he is holding the club back so I guess yes, he should stay! A manager is required who will play attacking football, be an excellent and flexible tactician, great man manager, a strong but fair disciplinarian and have faith in youth.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Sustained success can't come from ugly football. José needs to step aside.
Charlie Lawry
Roar Guru
Would you want him to stay for the next 3 seasons or get a replacement who can build something more charismatic? If the latter, which managers do you think are realistic/suitable candidates?
englishbob
Guest
agreed, with the exception of porto he's always had access to mega resources and this eventually led to the detriment of the clubs youth. I'm not going to claim id rather lose pretty than win ugly but half the fun of watching united at home was knowing they'd have 20 pots at goal and 3/4/5 goal games weren't uncommon. its so very tedious now
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
As a chelsea fan, I would say the mask sliiped in his 3rd season with us in his first term and a large number of fans, including myself, were not happy when he signed for us again. You have pinpointed the problem in the statement about youth. So many quality Chelseas lads who were good enough were let go because Mourinho is all about the result and not about building a dynasty. In Drogba's later years Lukaku did not get much of a look in and we sold him as he was, righly so, unhappy. How expensive will that mistake be if we do sign him back? Matic is another one who has cost us a lot of money after Mourinho sold him then we bought him back again. Juna Mata was a casualty of Mourinho, I can imagine how upset he must have been when Mourinho took over at Man U!
englishbob
Guest
as a united fan ( live in Manchester, been to 100+ games so please no foreign fan jokes) its been among the most frustrating seasons I can remember. We don't mind them being crap as such, we've been known to have some awful seasons but its the amount of games and winning positions we've butchered this year, so unprofessional. Truth be told even if we beat Ajax we'll only get in the CL next year on a technicality, we certainly wont be in a position to win it next year but it may help us attract some talent beyond just paying over the odds. I'd fancy united to win a title if Jose has 3/4 seasons with us, after all he's antagonised almost every other major European club but as the author above points out, it will not be good to watch.