Eric Cantona is right – watching Manchester United under Jose Mourinho is torture

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona voices his frustrations at the poor standard of football being displayed by Jose Mourinho’s side. I’m glad somebody’s talking sense…

“It’s not the right man for the right woman,” said former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona regarding Jose Mourinho’s relationship with the club at a recent event.

A very fitting metaphor indeed.

Under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United became synonymous with exceptional attacking football all around the world. But now, the side we force ourselves to watch every week looks utterly unrecognisable than the one Cantona himself played in during our early era of Premier League dominance.

The Frenchman was particularly disappointed by United’s recent 1-0 loss to Juventus at home in the Champions League, saying:

"“You can lose games but you take risks. You lose against Juventus and they have 70 per cent possession of the ball at Old Trafford. Could you imagine that with Ferguson on the bench?”"

Again, the King is spot on.

Under Mourinho’s management, the players – with the exception of Paul Pogba – look like they’re afraid to take any risks. This goes against the very philosophy that brought us our record 13 Premier League titles after decades of misery.

More from Red Devil Armada

• Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
• Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
• Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
• Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
• Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad

Mourinho’s tactics snuff our players of their creativity and force them to conform to an uninspired playing style which threatens to take us back to our dark era pre-Ferguson. This isn’t hyperbole – United have just made their worst start to a season in 26 years – and this has rightly angered Cantona.

Like many United fans (although some would never admit it) Cantona is envious of the football being played just a few miles away at the Etihad Stadium, saying:

"“I suffer and I suffer even more when I see [Manchester City] play so wonderfully.“I think kids need to have an example. They need great players, great movements, creative football to identify themselves to a player or a team. And I think they are now losing a generation of young players.“These young players identify themselves to the way City play. Can we accept that? No.”"

This last point may be the most depressing of all. United are famous for developing young payers who went on to achieve great things in football. Now, aspiring footballers are more enticed to play for the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool because of the great football they play – which could jeopardise the future of our academy.

If the club don’t act now, Manchester United may not have much of a future at all when it comes to being the team to watch for the highest standard of football. Your move, Woodward.