Jose Mourinho’s first loss as Manchester United was always set to raise a number of questions after such a strong start to the season.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, their first defeat came at the hands of arch-rivals Manchester City at home last weekend. City put United to the sword in the opening half-hour as they raced out to a 2-0 lead, with many thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s performance.
In United’s first real test of the season, they faltered against a side that looks increasingly likely to be the team to beat in the early stages of the season. Despite an improved second half performance, United were made to look second-rate by their City counterparts.
POPULAR ARTICLES
Jose Mourinho: Manchester United don’t want to be in Europa League
Emmanuel Adebayor to sign with French side: report
There is no doubt that United possess a squad capable of competing for the title come the end of the season, but if they are to mount a serious title challenge they must iron out the creases in coming weeks or be left behind this early in the season.
The weekend’s slow start will be a worry for Mourinho, with his side left chasing the game. Any team in the league has the ability to jump its opposition early and the 53-year-old will be looking to have his side on the front foot from the opening whistle. If he cannot, United may find themselves chasing games, a position a club of this calibre does not want to be in.
Reports emerged following the match that United’s players argued between each other at the interval as they looked to work their way back into the match. If these reports are to believed, Mourinho needs to get his players on the right page quickly, otherwise things could quickly go downhill for the Portuguese manager and his players.
Summer arrival Henrikh Mkhitaryan is reportedly also unhappy with the way he has been used so far this season, displeased that he is not being played in his preferred position. With more matches on the horizon, players are sure to be handed more opportunities than in the early stages of the season and this should help with any lack of cohesion within the squad.
United’s defence came under fire for the first time this season following the derby loss to City. Central defenders Eric Bailly and Daley Blind were questioned over their commitment to the ball following City’s first goal when both players failed to put in a challenge after a long ball from City full-back Aleksandar Kolarov. While Bailly did improve thereafter, Blind’s position in the side continues to be questioned with Chris Smalling available.
Smalling was one of the few shining lights under the reign of former manager Louis van Gaal and inserting him into the lineup could be the answer Mourinho is looking for. The English international should expect to see some action when the Red Devils travel to face the Feyenoord in the Europa League, a chance to stake his claim for a more regular place in the team.
For many pundits, Mourinho continues to play Paul Pogba in the wrong position, a deep-lying midfield role.
He was exposed at the weekend.
With Pogba given licence to get forward, it left Marouane Fellaini often isolated, in a position which is not natural to him either. If Mourinho wants to continue with his 4-2-3-1 formation, it could see Morgan Schneiderlin incorporated into the lineup to add more defensive resolve to the midfield.
Should Mourinho and Manchester United minimise these weaknesses in the coming games, it will go a long way to helping them keep close to the top of the tree as the busy period for the top clubs begins.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
