Champions League exit for Man United was no surprise, but can Jose Mourinho survive it?

Matt Jones - Editor 19:55 14/03/2018
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  • Jose Mourinho trudges off to face the music after Man United's abject defeat.

    The Special One’s orb is rapidly dimming. In fact, it may have already burned out.

    Manchester United’s exit in the Champions League at the hands of Sevilla sent shockwaves around European football because, well, it’s Manchester United, and Jose Mourinho. Two things most people outside Old Trafford love to loathe.

    United’s Andalusian-designed demise came as a shock to most pundits, at least those in the spotlight commentating on the game.

    Words like “disgrace”, “embarrassment” and calls for Mourinho to be sacked – from his own fans as much as those of rival clubs – did the rounds on social media.

    Even more importance has now been placed on the FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton on Saturday.

    The clash with the Seagulls was already their most-important game of the season thus far because it represented United’s best chance of a trophy. Now it represents their only hope.

    Sevilla celebrate after a maiden European win in England.

    Sevilla celebrate after a maiden European win in England.

    But let’s not pretend Mourinho’s position at Old Trafford is realistically under threat. It’s not.

    He immediately followed the dismal David Moyes and lethargic Louis van Gaal experiments by delivering two major trophies in his debut season – one of which, the Europa League, was the only major trophy in European club football to have previously eluded the Red Devils.

    And let’s also not pretend he isn’t still a great manager. If it were not for Manchester City’s brilliance, critics would be raving about how, with eight games left to play, Jose’s United are on course for their best finish post-Sir Alex Ferguson.

    Their 65 points this term has already surpassed Moyes’ ill-fated 2013/14 spell in charge, with 70 (in 2014/15 under Van Gaal) the target to beat. They have eight games left to do this, with the likes of Swansea, West Brom and Watford to visit Old Trafford.

    United have won 20 times this season; one more victory will surpass the same number by Van Gaal (also 2014/15). United sit second and look assured of leapfrogging finishes of seventh, fourth, fifth and sixth since Fergie’s title-winning farewell.

    So what’s the problem? Well, that’s easy. The football is turgid. Is Jose getting the best out of his squad, something neither Moyes or Van Gaal were able to do? Unequivocally yes.

    The energetic Jesse Lingard is not a world-class talent, but has ascended to another level under the Portuguese. Scott McTominay’s emergence pours scorn on Mourinho’s apparent unwillingness to invest in youth.

    But is the football any easier on the eye? Barely.

    In a crucial Champions League tie, at home, to inferior opposition on Tuesday night, Mourinho opted for Marouane Fellaini and Nemanja Matic as the central midfield two. France forward Anthony Martial, however moody, can change a game and was left on the bench until the 77th minute, when it was too late.

    Wissam Ben Yedder was the architect of United's downfall.

    Wissam Ben Yedder was the architect of United’s downfall.

    There is a time and place for pragmatism but this was not it, with United’s cautious approach audibly taking the strut from underneath the feet of the fans walking into the stadium still on a high from victory over Liverpool. This performance, this result, had been coming, too.

    The major issue is that while he remains one of the best managers, Mourinho also remains steadfastly stuck to his principles, whereas others are adapting.

    After a relatively dreary debut campaign in Manchester by his standards, Pep Guardiola went off script this season. Coincidentally, the criticism labeled at the Catalan then was that he was too attacking. He declined to adapt and prioritise defence when required, as a promising start unraveled after Christmas.

    Essentially, Mourinho is being chastised because he’s not as good as Pep. There is a clear void between the two and that will continue to grow, as will the gap between the clubs (already 16 points) unless he changes.

    One of Fergie’s great traits was to be able to mutate as football evolved during his 26 years as boss. He was a master chameleon, able to adapt to his changing surroundings, which was key to his longevity.

    Mourinho remains a top manager but his unwillingness to evolve may be his downfall at a club that has long been a bastion of swashbuckling bravado and attacking guile.

    Under Mourinho they’ve been reduced to an efficient machine, like an Audi.

    But against Sevilla they broke down and collided with a stark reality – the manager needs to change his ways next season, or United may eventually trade him in for a new model.

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