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FA Cup final performance foreshadows what’s to come under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United

By Ollie Slack

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Manchester United were the dominant side in the FA Cup final according to the stats. However, their performance is evidence of a side lacking identity and any real chemistry.

After the final whistle sounded in the FA Cup final on Saturday evening, despite Jose Mourinho’s defiance, I had an overwhelming feeling of regret. The United boss was adamant he could go on his holidays with “no regrets” after he felt his team “deserved to win”.

Prior to the match I was convinced Manchester United would lift a 13th FA Cup. Especially after Newcastle hammered Chelsea 3-0 the previous week. The final presented an opportunity for United to tear apart a fragile Blues defence. But unsurprisingly they did not take this opportunity.
Prior to the match I was convinced Manchester United would lift a 13th FA Cup. Especially after Newcastle hammered Chelsea 3-0 the previous week. The final presented an opportunity for United to tear apart a fragile Blues defence. But unsurprisingly they did not take this opportunity. /

The performance on Saturday mirrored so many of Manchester United’s under Jose Mourinho to date. Only when United were a goal down and the boss could gather his troops at halftime did the players come out and attack Chelsea.

Manchester United have been turgid in attack so often this season. Many performances that spring to mind have come recently: Crystal Palace, Manchester City, West Brom, Brighton, West Ham and Watford. All of those fixtures have taken place in the last 10 games of the league season. Luckily, United only lost two of them.

Jose’s stubborn ways

Worryingly for Manchester United fans, manager Jose Mourinho saw that performance as a positive one. He focused less on how United could impact the game and focused more on nullifying Chelsea’s threat. Ander Herrera was once again asked to man-mark Eden Hazard. However, he wasn’t close enough to deny the Belgian having a free run at Phil Jones.

Antonio Conte’s men came into the match in dire form. However, Manchester United showed no signs of exploiting their defence which would have been severely low on confidence. You can’t help but admire other Premier League managers such as Jurgen Klopp and Marucio Pochetino that would have shown no mercy and attacked that Chelsea defence.

When Manchester United signed Alexis Sanchez, that summed up Mourinho’s arrogance. He is not building a team. He is solidifying his defence with a rigid style of play whilst relying on individual brilliance to get him out of trouble. And at the moment, it’s not working.
When Manchester United signed Alexis Sanchez, that summed up Mourinho’s arrogance. He is not building a team. He is solidifying his defence with a rigid style of play whilst relying on individual brilliance to get him out of trouble. And at the moment, it’s not working. /

In Jose Mourinho’s first press conference as Manchester United manager, he said, “I know the legacy, I know the history of this club and at the same time I know what the fans expect.”

The legacy of Manchester United is that they attack. Throughout Manchester United’s history, they have attacked teams who show signs of weaknesses. The Manchester United fans expect their team to attack.

There is no sign that Mourinho will change his ways. And if other teams around United like Liverpool, Tottenham and obviously Manchester City have young players growing and learning every day. If they aren’t careful Manchester United could get left behind.

All in all, a relatively average campaign for Manchester United

Currently, the club is only stuttering back to where they used to be. Ed Woodward is buying ageing players – Willian is rumoured to be the next arrival in place of Anthony Martial – egotistical players who are more worried about themselves than the club.

The need for real leaders in the dressing room has been glaringly obvious this season. After a comeback victory against Manchester City in the derby you would have thought United would breeze past West Brom. However, the players were complacent, ensuring the Baggies clinched a 1-0 victory handing City the title.

I can never imagine that happening under Sir Alex Ferguson. Or even with players such as Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville in the dressing room.
I can never imagine that happening under Sir Alex Ferguson. Or even with players such as Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville in the dressing room. /

The performance in the cup final was just a snippet of how United, despite progressing to second place, have not developed ad grown as a team ahead of next season. There are as many questions with the current squad and manager as there have been before every season since Sir Alex left.

The problem this time is you feel Mourinho still has complete control of Ed Woodward. There is a danger United could let go of some serious young talent this summer. So much for understanding the clubs legacy.

Next: FA Cup Final player ratings REVEALED!

This summer, the hierarchy of the club will have some important decisions to make. They need to take a big look at the direction the team is heading, in contrast to the others around it. Otherwise, Manchester United could be left with both a dated squad and manager, this time next year. Can Jose prove people wrong next season, I hope so.

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