United Question Mourinho's Capability
Senior Manchester United officials are questioning
whether Jose Mourinho is the right man to lead the club in the wake of Tuesday's humbling Champions League
defeat by Sevilla.
Mourinho
still retains the support of United chief Ed Woodward, but some boardroom
members are uncomfortable with the style of football being played by the
Portuguese coach and fear that it could be several years before his team are
serious contenders for the Premier League title.
United
were dumped out of Europe following a lifeless performance as they were beaten
2-1 at home by Sevilla. It has put huge pressure on Saturday's game against Brighton
in the FA Cup which now represents United's only hope of a trophy this season.
Even
if Mourinho can add to his Europa League and League Cup success last season,
however, there are reservations over the way he is managing.
Concern
over United's cautious style came to a head after the Sevilla defeat and
Mourinho has been criticised for not getting more out his squad despite spending
£300million.
Supporters
have found it even harder to accept because Manchester City have played such
cavalier football under Mourinho's nemesis Pep Guardiola.
It
has raised doubts within Old Trafford about just how Mourinho — who won the
title in his second season at four previous clubs — will close the gap on City
next season.
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“Jose
is not the manager we thought he was,” said one senior source on Wednesday night. “We are
worried. We know the fans hate the football, and we won't win the league for
three or four years. He's also too insecure and gets involved in things away
from the football.”
Mourinho's
abrasive style has not gone down well with the more conservative element in the
United boardroom, even though Woodward accepts that it was part and parcel of
employing the 55-year-old former Chelsea boss.
Despite
an acceptance that he has been less confrontational this season, he has still
become embroiled in a series of public spats with rival managers and TV
pundits. The latest was an unexpected and brutal putdown of former Crystal
Palace manager Frank de Boer on the eve of the Sevilla defeat.
It
is understood that Mourinho did not admonish his players after the game,
choosing instead to go into the away dressing-room to congratulate the
Spaniards who reciprocated with applause for the United manager.
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