No one can now question the fighting spirit engendered within the Manchester United ranks by manager Jose Mourinho after a week that featured two rousing comebacks.
From Jesse Lingard’s fine header in the 2-1 triumph against Chelsea to Nemanja Matic’s stupendous sliced half-volley during the latest remarkable 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace, the Red Devils have valiantly scrapped to avert crises in consecutive run-outs.
The sight of Belgium centre forward Romelu Lukaku roaring in unalloyed celebration and pounding the turf following both winners borne of high drama typify the attitude imbued within a squad now shaped by the ceaseless Special One.
After several seasons detailed by meek surrenders under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson wilderness, the change is a welcome one.
A comparison to the feckless performances put in by disintegrating Arsenal during this period details the different trajectories these – once bitter – rivals are on.
But beyond these memorable moments, a pressing issue remains. Especially with rampant Liverpool up next at Old Trafford for Saturday’s scrap for second place in the Premier League.
If United are to hold any realistic pretensions of keeping pace with champions-elect Manchester City next term, an attacking identity to match this warrior ethos must be found.
The other side of the coin when comebacks are required is: why were you in this losing position in the first place?
Both matches have followed a similar script. Losing starts caused by disjointed first halves have been salvaged by impressive retorts after the break.
For a team of United’s collective talent, assembled at a cost only dwarfed by their City neighbours, this should not be occurring with frequency.
We are approaching the two-year mark since Mourinho’s appointment. Yet it is impossible to pin down a style of play.
22 – Jose Mourinho has won his first ever @PremierLeague game after being 2+ goals behind (D2 L19). Character. pic.twitter.com/zxq3RbaQvK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 5, 2018
This is not an issue for Pep Guardiola’s Blue machine.
A revolutionary utilisation of two central playmakers, unyielding belief in ball rotation and burning desire to press for the ball high up the pitch has crafted a side on course to break numerous records: 2016/17 Chelsea’s 30 wins in a Premier League season, 2004/05 Chelsea’s record 95 points, 2009/10 Chelsea’s 103 goals, 1999/2000 United’s 18-point winning margin and 2004/05 Chelsea’s 15 away wins.
An imposing standard has been set. It is now up to Mourinho to cure the attacking ails which still bedevil his side.
Since the heady days of the autumn when United kept up with City’s points and goals tally, they’ve steadily turned into a trying watch.
These faults were glaring at Selhurst Park.
Romelu Lukaku of Manchester United celebrates scoring at Crystal Palace.
Superstar January addition Alexis Sanchez was dispossessed eight times as he moved into the clustered centre, or dropped deep from the left-wing position detailed on the team sheet’s 4-3-3 formation.
This movement restricted the space of Paul Pogba, with the pair regularly stumbling into the same space. In a repeat of the Chelsea win, the France centre midfielder’s performance mirrored his team’s – awful in the first half, better in the second.
His freedom has been stifled by both Sanchez’s arrival and the Chile forward’s current deployment. No assist has been registered by him in the top flight since January 15’s 3-0 rout of sorry Stoke.
United’s struggles to escape second gear were typified by the presence of secondary defensive midfielder Scott McTominay. A 91.3-per-cent pass accuracy is impressive on paper, but his lack of adventure with the ball increased the log jam.
Only when the adventurous Marcus Rashford was thrown on at half-time to provide required width did an upturn arrive. In the Premier League, the England youngster had not played since February 2 and not started since December 30 – with four successful dribbles in 45 minutes in south London, this situation must change for the good of the team.
Mourinho is renowned for diligently drilling his defence and applying a laissez-faire approach to his attack.
Since Sanchez’s recruitment in late January, several different line-ups have been selected. Chemistry has proved elusive.
For all the glory of Chelsea and Palace, misery at Tottenham and Newcastle should not be forgotten.
He certainly won't be forgetting his first #MUFC goal in a hurry! 👀 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JikQl2yY6D
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 6, 2018
