5 things we learned  matchday 2a of the Champions League group stage

#4 United Players also have to take a measure of the blame

Paul Pogba

Mourinho's history of falling out with his players is well known, and his last two jobs at Real Madrid and Chelsea ended in very acrimonious circumstances as the Portuguese tactician fell out with a number of his key players at both clubs.

This scenario seems to be playing out once more at Manchester United, as reliable sources from within claim Jose Mourinho has lost the Old Trafford dressing room, and evidence on display suggests this to be the case.

Players by and large are reflections of their manager, and it is no hidden secret that a cordial dressing room atmosphere is essential to a football team's success, and any form of discord either between the players themselves or with their manager is a prerequisite for disaster.

Relationships at United between the players and Mourinho have deteriorated to such an extent that it seems the players no longer seem interested in playing for him, and some have taken thinly veiled digs at his methods with Paul Pogba being the chief culprit.

However, despite most of the furore being around Jose Mourinho and the club to part ways with him, it must also be pointed out that the players have as much blame if not more than the manager.

Football players are professionals, who are paid (heavy sums) which is to give their all to the club and conduct themselves in the most professional way possible, putting smiles on the faces of millions of fans around the world.

Regardless of their differences with their manager, the onus is on the players to put that behind them and deliver performances which would leave the fans with no doubt as to where their loyalties lie.

In times of distress, true leaders rise up and steer their nations to victory, and this turbulent period is the time for Pogba, Sanchez and co to show their greatness and restore the pride to Manchester United, but the players seem more interested in doing their talking off the field on social media than where it truly matters, which is the green lush field of Old Trafford.

Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and putting on the red of the club should be an honour to any player, who should put the values of the club crest above any petty differences and give his all on the field of play every time they step out to represent Manchester United.

Against Valencia, a normally boisterous Old Trafford was uncharacteristically quiet, as United faithful have become disenchanted by their club.

What makes matters worse is that the attitude of the players don't reflect the drive to correct this situation, with their body language giving off the impression that they don't care about the malaise the club is undergoing.

Millions of fans around the world have different real life issues which they contend with, but football's status as a unifying factor has long been established, and thousands flock to the Stadium each week, while millions of others watch their beloved club play in the hope that the players would help put a smile on their face for 90 minutes and beyond till when the next matchday takes place.

For players to do anything on the contrary despite the princely sums they are played is nothing such of criminal, and the players are as guilty as Mourinho in the debacle which has befallen Manchester United.