5 things Jose Mourinho needs to do at Manchester United immediately

How does one evaluate Manchester United’s current season?

They sit in 2nd place on the Premier League table, are in a finely poised Champions League tie with Sevilla and have progressed to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.

They have managed to snatch Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez from their rivals in successive transfer windows and manager Jose Mourinho recently signed a new contract extension.

Commercially they are stronger than ever and names like Antoine Griezmann and Toni Kroos have been linked with a summer move.

Yet the feeling that hovers over the red half of Manchester is not one of unbridled optimism.

As the defeat at Tyneside showed, the feeling lingers that United is always just one result away from talk of a disaster.

Not many fans were happy with the team’s meek showing at Sevilla and 29 games into the season, it is still difficult to accept just how good Pep Guardiola’s team is. Of course, with Mourinho at the helm, unwanted controversy is just a press conference away. The comeback win against Palace provided some reprieve, but it still showcased the shortcomings of this team.

How can Mourinho turn around this negative outlook?

#5 Implement a 2 man midfield

United should deploy a 2-man Matic - Herrera midfield

Due to the kind of midfielders United currently have in their ranks, it is simply not feasible to play 3 of them in the same eleven without compromising the levels of creativity. Nemanja Matic, Marouane Fellaini, Scott McTominay, Ander Herrera…..all these players function primarily as destructive forces disrupting opposition attacks rather than as creative playmakers.

As per whoscored.com, Matic (0.6), McTominay (0.1), Herrera (0.5) and Fellaini (0.3) have all made fewer key passes per game than Ilkay Gundogan (0.8).

Paul Pogba is the sole offensively oriented midfielder, yet he cannot function in a 2 man midfield. With all the defensive responsibilities associated with being part of a midfield duo, it would be a criminal waste of the Frenchman’s talents. If a 4-3-3 is deployed to accommodate Pogba, however, that deprives the formation of a No.10 role – which in turn is not the optimum situation for Alexis Sanchez.

Wherever he is deployed across the front line, Alexis has a tendency to drift infield in search of shooting opportunities; therefore the ideal way to get the best out of him is to deploy him in the No.10 role with the freedom to roam.

So where does that leave Pogba?

#4 Hand Pogba a free role on the left

Pogba should be handed a free role on the left of midfield, where he can wreak havoc on the opposition

With 2 midfielders ready to do the dirty work behind him, Pogba should be handed a free role on the left in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Sanchez as the No.10. With 1.6 key passes and 2.8 dribbles per game, Pogba is easily United's most creative midfielder - the shackles on him should be released when in possession. Out of possession, Pogba can perhaps drop a bit deeper so that the formation resembles a 4-3-3.

United spent £89 million on Pogba for a reason – he is indeed one of the best players in the world. Now, it is time to build the team around him so that he can work his magic.

So if Lukaku plays as the striker, Sanchez as the No. 10 and Pogba from the left, then who plays on the right?

#3 Spring a tactical surprise

Although Mata is Mourinho's number one option on the right side, United's squad depth can be leveraged to spring the occasional surprise

Several options have been tried, but it is hard to look past Mata as the Number one choice on the right side.

With Matic and Herrera / McTominay providing cover behind, the United fullbacks have the freedom to rampage forward and provide width. Valencia can hug the touchline, while Mata can play narrow to try and thread passes in behind for Sanchez and Lukaku.

With more key passes (1.7) per game than Martial (1.1), Rashford (0.8) and Lingard (0.9), Mata's creativity can prove the difference in unlocking a tight defense.

Of course, no top team has a rigid inflexible starting 11. United can spring a tactical surprise with the depth of options they have.

Against defensive-minded teams, Pogba can drop into midfield, and Martial can take his place on the left. Against fellow top 4 contenders, Lingard's uncanny ability to find space and greater defensive contribution may make him a better option from the right. Rashford can rotate with Lukaku for the centre-forward position or play from the right in games where the opposition deploys a high defensive line.

Another advantage of having such a depth of options is being able to change the course of a match with substitutions. As a fullback, the last thing you want after 70 minutes is Martial or Rashford running at you with fresh legs.

Talking about fullbacks, there is one in particular at United who should perhaps be playing more...

#2 Give Luke Shaw more game time

Shaw should be handed more game time, enroute eventually becoming a mainstay in the United defense

Ashley Young will turn 33 this summer, yes, 33. As admirably as he has filled in as a left back in recent times, it is unrealistic to expect him to continue playing at the highest level at that age in a makeshift position.

Unless United have in excess of 100 million pounds just waiting to be splashed out (like Guardiola did), it is time to think and plan ahead for the fullback positions, currently occupied by Young and Valencia (32).

Step forward, Luke Shaw. Prior to his horrific injury in September 2015, Shaw was one of United’s best players. Under Mourinho, he has again had to deal with niggling injuries and lack of trust from the manager – yet he has still shown glimpses of his vast potential.

While Young has been an able deputy, it is unfair to expect to see the best of Luke Shaw until he is given a run of games in the starting eleven. With Pogba playing narrow on the left, the touchline will be free for Shaw to storm forward and stretch the opposition defense. That in turn would provide more service for Lukaku and Sanchez to capitalize on.

All well and good, but who covers him when he goes on his rampaging runs?

#1 Continue to nurture Lindelof’s confidence

Lindelof is the only ball playing centre back currently at Mourinho's disposal

After a nightmare start to the season, it is good to see Victor Lindelof back on his feet. He has started United’s last 4 games and the last time he didn’t start, United lost away against Newcastle. Other center-back combinations, such as Smalling-Jones, have been tried but they haven’t proved successful.

Mourinho seemingly no longer trusts Daley Blind, and with Eric Bailly’s recurring injury concerns, Lindelof is United’s best ball playing defender at present. In modern football, the presence of a ball playing defender is crucial, today defenders get more time on the ball in comparison to midfielders and attackers who are pressed aggressively when they receive the ball.

Once Bailly is back, United will have a formidable centre-back partnership to build on.