4 signs that indicate Mourinho’s 3rd season syndrome is underway at Manchester United

#1 Falling out with his best players

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The biggest sign that Jose Mourinho is experiencing his much-hyped third season syndrome at Manchester United is his internal wars with his best players. It started with Mkhitaryan, who never was utilized at his proper position and was ultimately sold last season.

Luke Shaw faced a lot of storm from his manager, but credit to the youngster, he has kept his mouth shut and let his football do the talking. Mourinho is not on talking terms with his current captain, Antonio Valencia, as per reports by Metro. Martial and the Portuguese famously fell out over the summer and there are reports that Rashford is stalling his contract extension because he is worried about his development under Mourinho.

But the biggest of the lot is his problem with Paul Pogba. The differences were there even before the now infamous training ground video. Pogba and Mourinho have been at daggers drawn for quite some time now and it is affecting the Frenchman’s playing abilities at Manchester United. This is the most important indication that Mourinho is nearing his end at United, as history would suggest.

At Real Madrid, it was Casillas, Sergio Ramos and even Cristiano Ronaldo who drifted apart from the Portuguese. The list also included Kaka and Pepe. Even though Perez assured in his press conference that “no one was getting fired”, it was his differences which his star players that resulted in Mourinho’s downfall.

During his second stint at Chelsea, his relationship with Fabregas, Costa and Hazard soured days into the new season and even the backroom staff found themselves distanced from his ideologies. Abramovich had a decision to take and the Russian chose to save his team further humiliation and insults from a manager who had a history of bad behavior.

At Old Trafford too, the alarm bells are ringing. The United Board are certainly deciding on an impending decision and for Mourinho, the time is almost up. This third season syndrome has caught up with him again and it will most certainly cost him his job at Manchester United.