Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho (Getty Images)
With nowhere to turn after a string of poor performances, fans and media need a scapegoat to lay the blame on and Jose Mourinho seems like the perfect liability.
One could say the boss has gotten his tactics wrong but it is down to the players to get on the pitch and perform to the best of their ability. There is evidently not enough effort from the players, despite being part of a team like Manchester United.
If the players aren’t willing to put in the commitment and effort for Mourinho, these players should not be anywhere near the club and seek a move elsewhere. The club’s academy players may not be as technically gifted as the likes of Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial but they could give it their all if given a chance.
More often than not, United seemingly turn up not believing they can win the game. Clubs now come to Old Trafford with a renewed sense of belief and easily pick up all three points. The famous stadium used to be a fortress under Sir Alex Ferguson but now, teams rue a missed opportunity if they drop points there.
The Red Devils were renowned for playing attacking football and were a club with a long-term approach of backing the manager through thick and thin. After two abysmal spells under David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal, the situation did seem optimistic as Mourinho took charge in 2016.
In his first season in charge, appointing Mourinho seemed like a masterstroke. The Portuguese won the League cup, Community Shield and Europa league that guaranteed Champions League football for another season. However, their performances weren’t reflecting the success and in the 2017/2018 campaign, United ended the season trophy-less.
One must not forget that before Mourinho was appointed, United were in free fall under Van Gaal and Moyes. He brought some stability and what fans crave the most – silverware. Mourinho is known for winning trophies and that’s what he was brought in at Old Trafford.
His methods might be a bit unorthodox for some but he will surely go down as one of the most successful managers of all time. He has already managed to attract some huge name to the club in Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Replacing Mourinho now is a massive risk and could swing either way.
Should Ed Woodward decide to replace Mourinho, the rebuilding phase could take years under a new manager. The United boss has had three years to work with these group of players and knows their qualities from top to bottom. Starting from scratch with a new manager could be a step in the wrong direction.
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The end appears near for Mourinho as he is on the chopping block after a string of poor results to start the 2018/2019 campaign. However, United should be patient since Mourinho is capable of delivering silverware.