26 Sep 2018 00:00:41
Going out of the League Cup isn't the end of the world but the performance and manner of the defeat is very disappointing.

Some will argue that Derby were brilliant, that it was a fantastic performance, that they outplayed us for large periods and deserved their victory. The truth is we allowed them to play, we allowed them time and space on the ball, we allowed them to press and were sloppy in possession, we made them look good. One team played with their heart and soul the other looked disinterested. One team ran themselves into the ground, the other sauntered around the pitch. One team played with hunger and commitment the other treated it as a testimonial.

Make no mistake Utd are a better team than Derby but without hunger, desire, energy and commitment it's an uphill battle no matter who the opposition.

Throughout his two year tenure at Utd Mourinho has consistently failed to motivate his players for the mundane, less glamorous fixtures. Defeats to all the newly promoted teams last season, defeats at Bristol City and Sevilla paint their own depressing picture. This trend has continued this season with defeat at Brighton, home draw against Wolves and now defeat to a championship team.

I'm not sure the players have downed tools, a last minute equaliser with 10 men proves otherwise but the standard and quality of the football is poor. The tactics are dour and uninspiring. If Derby can play like 1970's Brazil then why can't Utd with much better players?

Mourinho is still a good coach but he's struggling to adapt at Club devoid of any real winners but refuse to play as underdogs. He has attempted to dampen expectation rather than embrace it. He's failed to impose his siege mentality. These current players don't want to fight the world, they refuse to go to war, the fans don't want to see dogged football. We aspire to be better than that. Winning at all costs or by any means are not synonymous with a Club than conquered Europe from the ashes of Munich playing with bravery, flair and imagination. We've seen tonight that it's possible for a team to play good football despite not having the best players. All that's required is a vision and commitment to play the game the right way and the bravery and courage to execute it. Since Fergi retired the emphasis has been about stopping the opposition rather than playing on the front foot. About avoiding defeat rather than winning, about not conceding rather than scoring, about defence rather than attack. We play with fear and self doubt rather than confidence and composure.

Mourinho is a winner but his methods are outdated and he's struggling to adapt to the modern player. The real men of football are a dying breed. Only the strongest thrive from constant criticism. Modern egos need massaging not provoking. They need to feel wanted and valued not used and abused, they are not a commodity to be cast aside so the manager can flex his muscles and score cheap points in the hope of provoking a reaction. All the mind games, relentless criticism, tough love must eventually become exhausting for even the toughest of characters.

Maybe Mourinho needs to leave Utd for the sake of his own career, for the sake of his own sanity and happiness. It's now even obvious to me one of his staunchest supporters that this marriage of convenience is coming to an end. There have been some good times, success even but it was never built to last.

For Utd the search continues.

1.) 26 Sep 2018
26 Sep 2018 08:21:54
DLIB

Excellent post covering everything. After dropping points at home to Wolves a home game against Derby is just what the doctor ordered to get Wolves out of your system. No disrespect to Derby but that Manchester United should be beating them at home and not allowing them play and dictate the game.

2.) 26 Sep 2018
26 Sep 2018 08:59:26
Great post mate.