Successful transfer window = Check!
Community Shield Win = Check!
Premier League Opening Day Win = Check!
The Mourinho era at Manchester United finally began at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth. After a cagey first half, United settled down, attacked and defended well, and gave a near perfect performance.
A scoreline that read 3-1 pleased most United fans and with marquee signing Paul Pogba to make his debut, things are looking upwards for the Red Devils! A few things I noticed post the first game of what we can expect in the season.
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Mourinho will attack!
The fans chanted ‘Attack, Attack, Attack!’ for most of last season, and cricticised Louis Van Gaal’s tactics of possession based defensive football. It was frustrating to say the least for supporters who have seen the likes of Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo and Rooney shred defenses apart for almost 2 decades.
United scored just 49 goals in 38 games last season - to give you a comparison - Newcastle United, who were relegated, scored 44. Change was required and it has come. Mourinho mentioned how the mentality had to be changed as the players were used to the keeping the ball with side and bac passes rather than making those attacking runs or direct deliveries.
The ‘Special One’ has had a very busy window and believes he has got the players he wanted. He was very clear that he will need to get attacking football back to United, and he is right on track.
Attack-wise, talismanic Ligue 1 top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mikhitryan, who had the most assists in last season’s Bundesliga, and the most expensive player in the world, Paul Pogba, have been added to the squad.
They will straight away draft themselves into the starting XI. Mourinho’s United has already scored 5 goals in 2 matches and are yet to play at Old Trafford. It is a work in progress, but looks very positive.
It’s Zlatan Time
When someone tells Eric Cantona that he will be the ‘God of Manchester’, one might think the guy has lost his mind. But, that’s Zlatan!
Ibrahimovic has broken records in every country, in every season. One of the best strikers of his generation, Zlatan Ibrahimovic comes to United to reunite with his favorite manager, after scoring 50 goals in 51 games at Paris Saint-Germain last season. He achieved everything there; in fact, he’s achieved everything everywhere.
Since 2001, he has won a trophy in every single season, in 4 different countries. No one has ever won in 5 countries; he’s come to United to win his 5th.
He’s continued where he left off from last season, scoring within 3 minutes of walking into a pitch in a United jersey against Galatasaray in a friendly, scoring the winner against Leicester City at the Community Shield, and at Bournemouth scored a tremendous 25-yard strike in his first Premier League game.
Great in the air, great shooting range, and a physical presence, Zlatan looks like the player United have needed for some time now. Expect him to create fireworks this season!
United’s Midfield Problems
I call it a problem but it actually is a luxury. The addition of Paul Pogba will give selection headaches to Mourinho. Pogba will start, and the other midfielders have got to fight over the other spot.
Morgan Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellini and Paul Pogba will fight for 2 midfield places in every game. Mourinho will play his favourite 4-2-3-1 formation and the No.10 role looks to be Rooney’s for now.
Mourinho has liked to pair two midfielders with different characteristics, over the years. We saw that last in Chelsea where he played Fabregas and Matic. The former had a creative role where he had the freedom to move while Matic protected the back four.
Looks like Pogba will play the creative role and his partner’s role will be up for grabs. Herrera has started every single game under Mourinho and looks to be his first pick, but he doesn’t have the physical attributes that Schniederlin or Fellaini possess.
United also have the ever reliable and experienced Michael Carrick who is clearly going to play a part in Mourinho’s plans. It will be an interesting selection battle!
Fight for the title!
The previous two United managers set their sights on top 4, but Mourinho wants to win it and not just make it to the top 4. Van Gaal struggled to make it to 4th place last season and just about made it in the season prior that.
Even though United won the FA Cup last year, it was a disappointing season for fans of the club.
This time, Jose Mourinho has made his intentions clear even before the first game was played. He did not want to hide behind words or quotes. He is going to challenge for titles. The standards he sets for himself are high; he wants to win all trophies that are possible.
United will play the Premier League, Europa League, Capital One Cup and FA Cup this season and has a huge squad to succeed un a few competitions.
Players like Memphis Depay, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, Daley Blind, and even Ashley Young seem to have a future in the United dressing room. He will look at rotating and creating good competition for starting spots.
With excellent squad depth, technically gifted players and the signing of four players who have filled in the gaps that were there in the previous seasons, United are going to be one of the teams to watch out for this season.
