5 things that Jose Mourinho needs to do to turn Man United's fortunes around

Manchester United had an uninspiring home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. They drew 1-1 against the newly promoted side after having dominated the first half of the game. New recruit Fred scored his first United goal but the lead he managed to achieve was negated by a Joao Moutinho strike in the second half.

There was no one singing 'Glory Glory Man United' across Old Trafford after the game had ended and the fans were visibly disappointed. They were angry and enraged at the performance shown by the Red Devils after the positive game against Young Boys in Bern midweek. Games that used to give them an easy three points on the board have now become tricky encounters for Manchester United.

Football pundits and commentators are quick to put the blame on manager Jose Mourinho's shoulders for United's poor display but the team has to take some responsibility too. Agreed that Mourinho has brought on boring, defensive football but a lack of quality signings has hampered United's prospects this season too. Apart from Paul Pogba, Mourinho has no world-class players to call upon in an hour of need.

A manager is only as good as his team but there is no doubt that if United keep dropping points like this, Mourinho's job could well be in danger before Christmas. I have compiled a list of things that he can do if he wants to turn the Red Devils' fortunes around.

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#1 Drop Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez must make way for Tony Martial

I have written an article about why Alexis Sanchez should be dropped. You can read it here. Sanchez has been disappointing since his arrival from Arsenal in January. He has failed to provide pace in the wings and was found wanting in latching onto passes delivered to him. Sanchez is now a shadow of the player he was for Arsenal and should be dropped from the team as soon as possible. Anthony Martial has shown promise and speed whenever he was played and should be United's left winger.

#2 Give Paul Pogba more freedom

Paul Pogba should be United's leader

Paul Pogba showed us in the World Cup how destructive he can be if given the freedom to express himself. Mourinho should do exactly that. He should allow Pogba enough breathing space to move forward with the ball and attack with all guns blazing.

United can afford Pogba to go forward and make his gazelle-like runs with Marouane Fellaini and Nemanja Matic manning the holding midfielder positions and keeping danger at bay. If needed, Mourinho should entrust Pogba with the captaincy more often as it will give the Frenchman confidence and responsibility.

#3 Inculcate the winning mentality

The last time United won a major title was the Europa League in 2016/17

Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest managers in the world. Being a serial title winner at various clubs, the Portuguese knows what it takes to be a champion. He needs to inculcate this winning mentality at Manchester United. This current bunch of players at Old Trafford have forgotten what being a champion feels like, with only five players remaining who were a part of the last Premier League winning side in 2012/13. Making this mental shift is not going to be easy but there are strong characters like David de Gea, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic in the dressing room and manager Mourinho should tap into their minds.

#4 Purchase a winger in January

Ivan Perisic should provide an answer to United's troubles

What Manchester United did horribly wrong in the summer transfer window was not add a world-class right winger into their roster. United is terrible in this part of the pitch with no one able to provide crosses into the attacking third. Juan Mata has been tried and tested but he can only be kept in the club as a good squad player. Jesse Lingard has also played there but he is not a natural at that position. Ivan Perisic should be the per option to purchase in the January transfer window, although the Croat prefers the left-hand side.

#5 Get rid of the deadwood accumulated in the club

Mourinho must get rid of the deadwood in the club

Jose Mourinho should also use the January transfer window to sell the deadwood that has been accumulated over the last few years in the club. Players like Phil Jones deserve no place in a club as big and historic as Manchester United and should be sold to make way for better central defenders. Mourinho is known to be ruthless when it comes to dealing with such players and it would benefit United if he acts quickly.

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