Mourinho and ManU need to win a trophy next season. Anything short of that will be viewed as a failure.
Preparation for 2018/2019 Premier League season is already underway. All Premier League managers understand what lies ahead and that applies especially to Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho. It’s because United need to improve if they hope to close the gap on rival and runaway champion, Manchester City.
United had more points, scored more goals, and conceded fewer goals than they had in previous campaigns under David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal, respectively. But at issue for many United fans is the way Mourinho sets his team up. His conservative approach doesn’t produce enough goals to win games convincingly.
Mourinho has tried pushing some of his underperforming players by criticizing them in the public, but that approach hasn’t worked.
With Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young approaching their middle thirties, and Matteo Daimain and Danny Blind are almost certain to leave the club, the full back position needs bolstering. The midfield also needs some attention with Michael Carrick already retired, Marouane Fellaini’s future unresolved, and Paul Pogba’s status unclear.
In the attacking area, United had major problems last season in terms of converting decent chances. It’s an area Mourinho needs to address because his side doesn’t have enough creativity and intelligence in the final third. The inconsistent performances of Anthony Marshial and Marcus Rashford also need to be addressed.
ManU’s newest addition, Fred (photo, CaughtOffside)
Mourinho needs to move quickly and he’s doing just that. The club has sealed a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder, Fred, for a fee in the region of £53m. Fred is a box-to-box midfielder with the ability to creating openings in the final third. His creativity and intelligence in the middle of the park will be a plus to the team.
Porto full back Diogo Dalot has also completed a move to United. The Portuguese under-21 right back is expected to provide competition in that position. Juventus’ Alex Sandro and Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld are reported to be on their way to United.
It’s also important Mourinho to look inward–to promote promising talents from the academy. That’s especially relevant because the Portuguese manager has been criticized for not nurturing young talent. The way Mourinho handled Macurs Rashford’s development comes to mind. At issue, then, is giving younger players an opportunity to prove they belong on his squad.
Mourinho and ManU need to win a trophy next season. Anything short of that will be viewed as a failure.
