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There is a storm rising at Manchester United, and Jose Mourinho is at the center of it all. After coming under heavy criticism earlier in the season for back-to-back defeats in the Premier League to Bournemouth and Tottenham, Jose seemed to have steadied the ship and masterminded three consecutive away victories in the league and Champions League.
That string of positive results seemed to calm the situation at Old Trafford, but in the space of the last five days, the flames have once more been rekindled. The draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in the league set the rumor mills in motion, which was intensified when Mourinho announced his squad to face Derby County in the Carabao Cup which controversially had Paul Pogba left off the team entirely, with Mourinho further stating that he had stripped Pogba off the captaincy and that the Frenchman would never skipper the team while he was in charge of the club.
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As it happened, The Red Devils went on to lose the match, crashing out in embarrassing fashion to Championship outfit Derby County led by former Mourinho Protege Frank Lampard on penalties after Sergio Romero had been shown a red card and Fellaini equalized at the death.
As expected, the loss has led to a lot of banter online from both trolls and fans alike, with a huge number of United faithful calling for his sack, pointing to his 'third season syndrome' as proof that he has lost his way among the elite of football management.
While there are more than enough reasons justifying Manchester United to part ways with the Portuguese tactician, doing so could also prove counterproductive. Here are five reasons why Manchester United should not sack Mourinho.
#5 There is no replacement in the market on the level of Mourinho
As fanciful as it is to suggest that United parting ways with Mourinho would be in their best interest, it would be a drastic measure, and adequate contingencies must be put in place first.
No institution or any team makes any decision without considering the repercussions, and football clubs are no different. For any team willing to part ways with its manager, the first thing to consider would be potential replacements, and if said coaches are in a position to lift them from their current situation.
Mourinho is one of the greatest managers in footballing history and has won a plethora of titles across four different leagues, including three Premier League titles(which is more than all other EPL managers combined), and it would be impossible to get another manager with such an imposing CV.
Manchester United is the grandest club in England, possessing a history and fanbase which many clubs can only dream about, hence being at the helm of a club the stature of United requires a manager of the highest pedigree, and other than Zinedine Zidane (who has less than four years managerial experience), there is no other manager available who comes close to Mourinho's pedigree.
#4 Contrary to what many believe, the club has actually improved under him
Manchester United was the most dominant club in England under Sir Alex Ferguson, and won over 40 major trophies in the 28 years the Scot spent at Old Trafford.
The success recorded under Fergie created a sense of royalty and supremacy among United supporters, and rightly so, as not only did they win under United, but they also won beautifully, and this was the standard set for all United teams.
Since Ferguson.s departure, however, things have gone downhill for the Mancunians, hitting an all-time low during the disastrous reign of David Moyes. Results improved slightly under Louis Van Gaal. but they were still a far way off from the glory days of Ferguson.
In the first season after SAF left, United finished 7th in the league, as Moyes somehow found a way to break unwanted records almost weekly at Old Trafford. The following season, they finished 4th under Van Gaal but went trophyless, and crashed out of the group stage in the UCL before finishing 5th in the league and winning the FA Cup in what turned out to be the Dutch man's last match in charge of the club.
Mourinho took over the reigns in 2016, and was tasked with restoring the club back to its previous heights, and while his debut season did not go according to plan in the league (they finished 6th), it was still decent enough to return three trophies including the Europa trophy and a return to the Champions League.
Much was made of the fact that Mou had always won the league in his second season in charge, and this coupled with big money arrivals raised optimism among fans that the club could triumph in the league.
However, Guardiola had different plans, as his City team put up one of the greatest performances in PL history and almost strolled to the league title.
United finished in second place with 81 points, which was both their highest point tally and league finish since Ferguson left, but the almost perfect campaign by City relegates that to the background.
With three trophies won in two seasons and a second-place finish the last term, Manchester United have actually made the most progress under Mourinho since Ferguson left, and in order to continue their trajection, Mourinho should be allowed to continue.
#3 It would be very expensive to sack him
Manchester United was significantly impressed with what Jose Mourinho had achieved in his first year at the helm of the club that he was handed a new contract extension in January.
The new deal made the 55-year-old further cemented his stock as one of the highest paid managers in the world, and apparently, his paycheck is so hefty Mou himself joked that United could not afford to sack him.
Football is big business, and like all other businesses, it's all about the numbers. The costs of severing the contract of a marquee coach in the mold of Mourinho is too exuberant, with pay-offs and compensation rising to figures as high as £12m.
The costs involved in terminating Mourinho's contract are really off the roof, and it would be in United's best financial interests to let him get on with his job.
#2 It would cause further disruption
It is a well-known fact that every new coach comes in with his own new methods, training personnel and tactics, almost overhauling every existing system at the club.
Even though reports emanating from the United camp indicate that all is not rosy, with the seeming rift between Mourinho and Pogba increasing by the day, as well as public lashing of the media and some senior players, if Mou is sacked, things would go to an even higher level.
Any new coach would take some time to settle down, and this would go in contrast to clubs like Manchester City, Tottenham, and Liverpool who have steady structures.
Mourinho's dismissal would be counterproductive for Manchester United, as all the [progress made under Jose would be erased, and it would be back to square one for the club.
#1 He loves the club
Mourinho has always held a distinct admiration for Manchester United, even from his tenure as Chelsea boss, and despite being famed for his controversial snipes, the Old Trafford outfit had never been on the receiving end of his jibes.
He held a distinct respect for Sir Alex Ferguson, and always took out every opportunity to praise the legendary manager.
The Old Trafford job is one he had wanted for a long time, and on his unveiling thanked the board for making his dreams come true before stating that he is coaching the biggest club in the UK.
After the chastening 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, Mourinho went over to the fans and applauded them with a United scarf in his hand, pointing to the badge, and this was symbolic of the respect he has for the club.
The love and passion Mourinho has for United means that he would always have the club's best interests at heart, and he more than anyone else would fight tooth and nails to find a solution to the conundrum facing the club, and the board would do well to give Mourinho the time needed to sort out the issues at the club.
