Manchester United 0-0 Valencia: 5 important conclusions from the game

#2 Mourinho has run out of ideas

Manchester United v Valencia - UEFA Champions League Group H

The special one is not so special any more it seems, in fact, there is a predictability to his game plan at Manchester United that has made them easy to read and outright boring. He does not rely on using the talents of the players in his hand, which is the reason for his preference for long balls with Fellaini at the end of it. It is a tactic from the 90s era which, unfortunately for him, hardly works any more.

Next, for all the midfielders in his possession, he does not deploy a midfield which works on the attributes of the midfielders. As such, Pogba’s talents are laid waste to, and Matic is overburdened with defensive responsibilities. He broke the bank to get Fred in the summer, sacrificing the more urgent need for a right winger, yet decides not to use him. Mourinho’s preference for tall players, regardless of their talent, once again, is a tactic that is as old as the beautiful game and makes little impact in the present era.

Another proof that his ideas are outdated is his reliance on defending with 11 men behind the ball. Against a team who have scored sparingly this season in the La Liga, such tactics are meaningless. The Portuguese has clearly run out of ideas, and Manchester United are paying the price.

With this draw, the pressure continues to build on the Portuguese and things could take a turn for the worse soon.