How has
Mourinho turned things around at United?
After grabbing two late goals against
Middlesbrough, Manchester United take their winning streak in the
league to five games. They're now unbeaten in 12 games, and the good
times feel like they're
back. The New Years Eve game against 16th
place 'Boro felt like a performance from a Sir Alex side, with a
never say die attitude bringing them a much needed three points.
Jose Mourinho didn’t have the luxury
of time when taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson and was judged
quickly. Less points than Van Gaal after ten games – almost exactly
the same tally as Moyes – and it was clear the fans were not happy
with the way their team was performing. New signings, like
Mhkitaryan, weren’t breaking into the team, and there was no unity
within the ranks out on the pitch. They weren’t playing well, and
were conceding many more than they we’re scoring. So, just how has
Mourinho injected life back into a team that looked lethargic and
devoid of interest? Let’s take a look.
Zlatan and his goals
Zlatan wasn't given much time to settle on
arrival either. His early performances were poor, and many began to
ask if the talismanic Swede was just too old for the pace of the
Premier League. He’s solidly silenced the doubters in recent
months, being the standout striker at the club, notching ten goals in
his last nine games. He’s also the only United player to score more
than ten goals in 2016 – not bad when you consider he’s only been
there since August. He’s not just bringing goals to the team, but a
winning ideology as well. Ibrahimovic looks like the leader that
United have so desperately needed in recent years, performing much
the same role at the top of the line as Rio Ferdinand used to occupy
at the back.
Resurgence of Carrick
Another integral part of Mourinho’s
current system is that he’s got Michael Carrick back playing week
in, week out. Not only providing extra cover to the previously shaky
back four, but he’s also the metronome at the heart of the
midfield. He’s looking to do what Scholes once did - play the
killer passes and keep pushing things forward. What Carrick has done
is freed up space for others the play in front of him. By tucking in
and marshalling the defensive half of the midfield he allows Pogba
and co to play higher up the pitch, influencing the game in ways
United had struggled to in the past.
Defensive Surprises
When Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly
were both out injured, everyone expected United to crumble. The pair
started the season with a series of average to decent performances,
and looked like they were beginning to gel. You may have got longer
odds on Rojo and Jones forming a solid partnership than Leicester’s
title win last season, but the combination seems to be working. You’d
assume that Smalling will have a fight on his hands to get back into
the starting eleven, such is Mourinho’s desire to stick with what
is working. Both Rojo and Jones have consistently exceeded
expectations of late, and you would fully expect Mourinho to stick
with the team that's working. Bailly has been called up to the Ivory
Coast squad for the African Nations Cup, so Mourinho will be grateful
that he has so many defenders in good form to choose from. You can
also never discount an addition during the January window.
Youth
Just recently Mourinho was covering for
the fact that he “has a bad feeling” over the lack of game time
for certain players, but, it’s a case of the youth performing when
given the chance. Ashley Young and Memphis Depay have both been short
of game time this season, with Mourinho preferring the likes of Jesse
Lingard and Marcus Rashford. While Young is no slouch, Lingard and
Rashford have the ability to inject serious pace in any side, and are
both capable of scoring goals. Depay’s decision making was unlikely
to mix well with Mourinho’s mentality, so it’s hardly a surprise
that he is the one to make way. With rumours of a move to Everton
swirling, don’t be surprised if you see Memphis wearing a different
strip come the end of January. Morgan Schneiderlin is another player
who looks to be on the way out in the January window even though he
only joined the club in 2015.
United continue their season as they
travel to 12th placed West Ham for the afternoon fixture
on Monday, 2nd January.
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