Is Mourinho the right man to take United forward?
- Arpan Bhattacharjee
- Apr 13, 2018
- 5 min read
Is Mourinho the right man to take United forward? Ask that to any United supporter 24 months ago and you'll know the answer. A unanimous YES!! Even the ones who don't like his managerial style and his tactics wanted "The Special One" at the helm.
After 27 years when Sir Alex Ferguson decided to finally call it a day, football lost a father figure and an all time legend. 38 trophies, numerous superstars and bundles of joy and excitement. Someone who could get a tune out of almost anyone. Someone who was respected all over the world. In his last speech at Old Trafford after winning his 13th league title he said in his Scottish accent, "When bad times came,the players, staffs and the board stood by me. Your job now is to stand by your new manager."
Everyone associated with Manchester United knew it was the end of an era. In came another Scot.David Moyes. Sir Alex recommended the then Everton manager who had 11 years of Premier League experience on the blue half of Merseyside. A year of disappointments, losses, and humiliation followed.
Played 51 Won 27 Drew 9 Lost 15 Goals for 86 Goals against 54. A win percentage of 52.94%. David Moyes looked like a fish out of water in the Old Trafford dugout. Manchester United finished 7th in the Premier League with 64 points. Out of Champions league spots, no trophies nothing. United sacked Moyes and appointed then player and United legend Ryan Giggs to be an interim manager for the remaining few games.
"Louis Van Gaal's Red Army" chanted a group of United supporters outside Old Trafford. Explanation behind the appointment was his experience with the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Dutch national team and his reputation of getting academy players into the first team. United fans around the world hoped for new beginning. United spent big that summer. Bringing in Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Falcao, Ander Herrera and building a new spine to the lackluster United outfit.
United scrapped to a 4th place finish in the Premier League with 70 points. Played 44 Won 23 Drew 11 Lost 10 Goals for 62 Goals against 37. A season without trophies and European football but progress was made. A season where a certain Portuguese in the name of Jose Mourinho lifted his 3rd Premier League title for Chelsea Football Club.
The next season started well for the Old Trafford faithful. David De Gea signing a new contract, getting Bastian Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial was the highlight of that summer. The target being the all elusive Premier League post Sir Alex Ferguson era. United started strong and were flying high at the top of the table after Matchweek 7.
Then Champions League returned to Old Trafford. United won their qualifier against Club Brugge KV and everything seemed merry at United. Just when everyone started dreaming of a possible title injuries hit the squad. Injuries to key players like Wayne Rooney, Luke Shaw, Schweinsteiger led to a decrease in quality and United started dropping points mid season. The manager was left with no choice and the team had to depend on academy players to fill up the injury plagued squad. Bad performances and losses followed and United crashed out of Champion League group stage. The dropped down to Europa League.Losses to Midtjylland and bitter rivals Liverpool ended their European campaign for that season.
United finished 5th that season in the Premier League with 66 points. Van Gaal had one game left to play. The FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium against Crystal Palace. A last minute winner from Jesse Lingard was needed to make sure a 10 man United win the trophy. Louis Van Gaal was sacked a day after lifting the FA Cup.
In came Jose Mourinho. In his first press conference he said," I want everything. I want to play well. I want to play young players. I want to score goals. I don't want to concede goals. I want the fans to be behind us because in the last 10 minutes were chasing a result. I want the fans to be behind us because the last 10 minutes were defending a result.I want everything." Fans were excited as they knew Mourinho was a winner and a proven Premier League manager. United didn’t play Champions League that season. European football meant Europa League for them that season. Mourinho brought his players along with him. Superstars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba joined United. Mourinho worked on the mentality of players at United. The ones who were not strong enough were shown the door. United drew many games in a season where other top sides were performing in the league. United found themselves at 6th after 10 games. They stayed there all season. They couldn't manage to secure Champions League spots from the league and had to put all their eggs in the Europa League basket. Although United were amazing in cup competitions. They finished the season with a Community Shield, League Cup and the Europa League in the bag. United finished 6th that season in the Premier League with 69 points.
Played 63 Won 36 Drew 18 Lost 9Goals scored 103, Goals conceded 45
United were back again in the Champions league.
Jose Mourinho second seasons at previous clubs: Porto-Treble, Chelsea-League, Internazionale-Treble, Real Madrid-League, Chelsea-League.
United fans were gearing up for a title even before it started. Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez were added to the fire power. Still after 32 games, the Red Devils find themselves 13 points behind a rampant Manchester City side. United are on course to finish with 89 points. A points tally that would easily hand them the Premier League title. But the shear brilliance and talent of the City side ensured that Manchester United could only manage 2nd spot in the Premier League. Although, in season 17/18 the league improvement did not reciprocate in the cup competitions. Crashing out of Carabao Cup(read as League Cup) and Champions League in the hands of Bristol City and Sevilla respectively was not received well among the fans. Only possible trophy left in the season for United, is the FA Cup.
Once a wise man said,"You're only as good as your opponents make you." In a season where Manchester City finish with a Premier League title, record points and a Carabao Cup( read as Lea.....you must know by now) and Liverpool reach Champions League finals, its easy to criticize United. But United supporters need to realize that the improvement is real. This team is growing. Mentally,physically and also in reputation and stature. With managerial careers short and fickle football fans, Jose Mourinho might have another season in him. A chance. Possibly the last chance at United. Season 18/19 has to bring the title back to Old Trafford. United fans have waited for that title for 5 years now. 18/19 has to be the season when Manchester United finally leave Sir Alex Ferguson's shadows and moves forward. A season after which proud United fans unanimously say,"Mourinho is the right man to take United forward."
Thank You.
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