5 Pointers From Manchester United 1-4 Borussia Dortmund

Pre-season friendlies, or even pre-season international tours, tend not to offer much of a clue to the coming season when viewed only results-wise. For evidence check Louis Van Gaal’s fabulously upbeat American jaunt before his doomed two season tenure- his team provided unburdened entertainment in the states, only to fall flat back in England.

What we can hope for from a series of Manchester United friendly matches, particularly under a brand new manager, is to pick up some clues as to what he might be planning for the upcoming season. This goes out the window when you have a madman like Van Gaal in charge, who operates on a different spiritual plain and might play Ashley Young in goal on an absurdist whim, but Mourinho operates to a set of discernibly calculated rhythms and intuitions, and so its worth looking for anything curious in yesterday’s disappointing 4-1 loss to Borrusia Dortmund in Shanghai.

(Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) /

1: Daley Blind in midfield

Mourinho is apparently not intending to play Blind at centre back, where he was deployed last season. Blind is versatile and reliable, and has excelled in a defensive role, but having brought in a more specialized defender, Bailly, and expressed an intention to partner Jones with Smalling, it will be interesting to see if Mourinho gives Blind the opportunity to showcase his abilities further in midfield.

2: Mata has a role to play

Mourinho has sold Mata once, while at Chelsea, but has indicated that he wants to keep him at United, and the Spaniard was given a starting place in the number 10 position yesterday. Mata is a favourite among United supporters, for his rare skill, professional composure, and general air of not being an idiot, and they’ll be happy if Mourinho retains his services. With so much attacking talent able to play in so many different roles, Mata may find himself being used in an off centre position under Mourinho.

Juan Mata fights for the ball with Dortmund’s goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller (Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) /

3: Valencia captained from right back

Here is a player whose future under Mourinho is certainly doubtful, being started as the captain. This could be a clue a as to Mourinho’s mindset- perhaps there’s a place for him after all. And that place might be at right back. Supporters’ fondest memories of Valencia are now several seasons past, when he was a marauding, powerfully effective attacking force on the wing. He doesn’t play like that anymore, and hasn’t for a long time, but he has improved in the right back position and might well continue to do so under Mourinho.

More from Red Devil Armada

4: A midfielder is coming

Mourinho has stated directly that he wants four new players, one of whom will be a midfielder. He’s got three, none of whom are midfielders, so that a future signing is planned was clear already, but it became apparent in this game how stark the need is to get someone who can dominate the game. Pogba? Great. Someone else? Mourinho buys square pegs for square holes- one of his greatest skills is in identifying a need and moving quickly and precisely for a player to address it. He never seems wedded unnecessarily to one target, so Pogba or not, we can expect a contender to be incoming.

5: Rashford on/ Depay off

It was a half-time quadruple substitution, but on taking up the forward position vacated by Depay, Rashford immediately showed that there is no dip in form to be expected after his brilliant, always unfazed performances last season. He was even good when he played for England, so it seems continuity is among his substantial merits.Depay, by contrast, has much to prove after an unconvincing first season. He certainly didn’t do it here, but in his defence he was playing in a different role from usual- as a lone striker. It remains to be seen to what degree Mourinho intends to persist with the young Dutchman, who undoubtedly carries great potential.

Home/Manchester United News