Premier League
Mourinho Saves His Job At United For Now
Manchester United’s second half comeback against Newcastle has saved Jose Mourinho’s job for now.
The second half performance looked more like the old United. On the front foot, playing attacking football and scoring a late goal.
There has a been a lot of speculation that Mourinho has lost the dressing room and that some of his players were no longer playing for him.
However, United’s second half display on Saturday showed they are still behind their manager.
Nevertheless, the victory against Newcastle just papers over the cracks as there are a number of problems at Old Trafford.
Mourinho Has Lost Faith In His Defence
There is no doubt that Jose Mourinho has lost faith in his defenders and has no confidence in all of them.
The first half display against Newcastle will have done nothing to reinstall his faith in United’s backline.
They were all over the place and conceded two goals in the first ten minutes of a Premier League game for the first time ever.
Mourinho’s frustrations boiled over as he substituted Eric Bailly after just 15 minutes against Newcastle.
That is hardly going to help instil any confidence in the Ivorian, who was reportedly furious at being taken off so early on.
Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof’s confidence appears shot to pieces. Mourinho has tried to solve United’s defensive issues.
Against West Ham he played midfielder Scott McTominay in defence which didn’t work.
Incredibly United have conceded 14 goals in the Premier League so far this season. To put that in context only three clubs have conceded more.
Mourinho stated in the summer that United needed better defenders. But he has to take the blame for the defensive mess so far this season.
He bought Bailly and Lindelof but has failed to get the best out of them. The last few weeks shows he no longer has faith in them.
Why would they put any more effort for a manager who doesn’t trust them?
With games against Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester City to come, United’s defensive frailties could well and truly be exposed once again.
Mourinho Too Critical With Players
Jose Mourinho has always been very open and honest during pre-match and post-match interviews.
However, sometimes he can be too honest and some of the things he says should be left to the dressing room.
After the victory against Newcastle he said that Scott McTominay was “scared to play.”
How is saying that going to help a young player develop? McTominay should be furious with Mourinho for saying that to the public.
His treatment of the Scotsman in the last few weeks has been disgraceful.
Playing him at centre back against West Ham when that is not his position made him an obvious scapegoat.
Mourinho should be protecting his young players and not putting them in that position.
Also, the Portuguese said that Marcus Rashford was “too sad to play.” Is there any need for Mourinho to say that after a comeback victory?
Sometimes it feels even when United win, Mourinho can’t help himself but to say something negative about his players.
This is the big problem with Manchester United. In the second half they played with freedom, were attacking and allowed to express themselves.
In essence Mourinho allowed them to play with the handbrake off. However, the first half they looked scared to make a mistake.
Probably fearing another public backlash from their manager.
If United play they way did in the second half, they have the players to beat anyone.
But will Mourinho let go off the handbrake in the next coming weeks? I doubt it.
Victory against Newcastle saved Mourinho his job for now but his days at Old Trafford will soon be numbered.
Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
