Monday July 4, marks the first day of Jose Mourinho’s reign at Manchester United and there’s no denying that he has a massive job on his hands.
The Portuguese is tasked with returning the Old Trafford outfit to its former glories and his reputation means that immediate results are expected, as is a third season meltdown.
In order to take United back to the summit of the Premier League – or at least within striking distance – after their fifth-place finish last season, Mourinho will have to make a few changes not just to the team, but to his own approach as well.
TELL DE GEA HE’S BETTER THAN CASILLAS EVER WAS
We know it, David de Gea knows it, Iker Casillas knows it and even the Tesco store manager in Greater Manchester from where the Krispy Kreme doughnut was nabbed wouldn’t object. The United custodian is one of the best in the world and should have been named Spain’s number one nearly two years ago.
Vincente del Bosque finally chose De Gea over Casillas for Euro 2016, but even that was a last-minute call. The shot-stopper has easily been United’s best player for the past three years and keeping him at the club is essential. Mourinho would do well to put his arm around the Spaniard and let him know just how good he is.
ENSURE FANS DON’T NOD OFF AGAIN
Louis van Gaal lost the support of the fans not simply because of poor results, his bright idea to have Phil Jones take corner-kicks or for demanding that his players be more ‘horny’.
He committed the cardinal sin, as far as United’s spectators are concerned, of playing – and let’s not sugar coat this – boring football.
Mourinho will have to ensure that his team seeks to play more entertaining football. Fans will let the odd grafting performance slide in favour of the greater good, but if that becomes habit, he risks losing their support.
CHAIN ROONEY TO ATTACKING MIDFIELD ROLE… OR THE BENCH
Let’s get one thing straight, Wayne Rooney will never be Paul Scholes. His tackles are simply far too clean and hell would freeze over before he’d manage to escape the glare of the media like the former midfield maestro did (before he ironically opted for a career in it).
Every time Rooney hits a perfect long diagonal pass, memories of Scholes come flooding back to the minds of some United fans. But the England skipper has his limitations in midfield and equally boasts several strengths further up the pitch.
As an attacking midfielder, he’d still be able to drop deep and pick a pass but can also link up with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Mkitharyan and Anthony Martial to great effect. Mourinho must tap into Rooney’s strengths in the final third and demand at least 15 goals from him (it seemed a walk in the park for Frank Lampard under Mourinho).
Furthermore, Rooney’s been moved around the pitch enough in his career. If he can’t establish himself as a number 10, Mourinho may just have to resign him to the bench, setting off cries of joy and displeasure in equal measure no doubt.
DARE TO ZLATAN
Mourinho has done well to recruit a fine prospect in Eric Bailly and a proven creative force in Mkitharyan but the biggest coup so far has undoubtedly been that of Ibrahimovic.
Yes, the Swede is 34 but that mustn’t deter Mourinho from using the striker to the fullest. And not only did the two achieve success back 2008-09 with Inter Milan, they share a mutual respect for one another and perhaps fittingly, a common dislike for their now cross-town rival – Pep Guardiola.
Under the right circumstances, Ibrahimovic can thrive at United. Mourinho is used to taking the heat off his players in front of the cameras, but after last season it wouldn’t hurt if the former PSG man took the focus away from his boss. Actually, he’ll probably just do what he wants, won’t he?
BE SEDATE
If the Zlatan diversion doesn’t work, Mourinho may find it worthwhile adopting a plan B after a poor result. Much of his demise at Chelsea was brought on not just by the results but his demeanour in the post-match interviews.
They covered everything from manic rants to utter resignation. He would do well to tone things down for the cameras and may need some sedatives at hand to remain calm.
