#ChoppsThoughts
Hi guys. Welcome to my new project called #ChoppsThoughts. This series is all about football (soccer) where I ask you to submit questions to me and/or The New Ultras via Twitter and I give my opinions on them. I’ll also focus on one specific topic trending in world football and give my thoughts on it.
Is Jose Mourinho running out of time at United?
If you believe the rumors in world football, it looks like the walls are closing in on the Manchester United manager. There are reports that if United don’t win their FA Cup semifinal matchup against Tottenham, the club may bring out the axe. But is it fair for Mourinho to be on the hot seat?
With all of this news, you would think that United were having a terrible season, and maybe by their standards, they are. But Mourinho currently has the Red Devils in 2nd place in the Premier League. During this time last season, the club were struggling to get in the top 4, but the Portuguese manager was able to deliver EFL Cup and Europa League trophies in his first campaign at Old Trafford. I believe all of this panic has been brewing since the benching/injury to Paul Pogba and their recent surprise exit in the Champions League against Sevilla, who are currently in 6th place in La Liga. The United manager showed a lack of urgency and deployed some questionable tactics, mainly starting Marouane Fellaini over Paul Pogba in the 2nd leg, which ultimately led to them crashing out of the European tournament.
United have been here before. After Sir Alex Ferguson retired, the managers that have been hired to replace him have yet to get United back to their glory days.
David Moyes was handpicked and only lasted 10 months with the club. Then Louis Van Gaal was hired. He, too, had somewhat of a difficult first season at Old Trafford, yet finished 4th in the league. The following season, he ended up winning the FA Cup. LVG also had some memorable moments with the media. He simulated a dive with a ref on the touchline, and called out some of his own players, just like we’re seeing with Mourinho, and United eventually sent him packing.
All of these managers don’t provide “sexy” football product and maybe that’s been the issue. Maybe United need to bring in a manager that isn’t afraid to attack and position players were they excel the best. Modern football is evolving, from the tactics to the players. United have a lot of individual talent that could easily work for other top clubs, so one would have to believe that maybe that style of tactics being implemented in the club are holding the players full talents back. Maybe instead of bringing in a manager to force tactics why not bring in a manager that can design a formation/system around the players talents?
I personally don’t think United should fire Jose just yet. They’ve already been through two managers in 4–5 years and I’m not sure they can bring in anyone, yet, that could match Mourinho’s resume and star power to lure top players to the club. But, we’ve seen managers get fired for less so at this point, it’s a toss.
What do you think? Should United fire Mourinho or give him another season to turn the club around?
Hit me up on Twitter at @justchopp or The New Ultras.
