Manchester United legend Gary Neville and former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness debated who’s to blame for the current state of affairs at Manchester United yesterday. Both made some very valid points and the answer of who is right, is probably, both of them.
After Manchester City had put rivals Manchester United to the sword with relative ease, Gary Neville raced down from his commentary position in the Etihad gantry to join the pundits in the Sky Sports studio.
Host Dave Jones asked Graeme Souness, Pablo Zabeleta and Gary Neville, whether Manchester United’s fall from grace this year is extraordinary, or whether finishing second behind winners City last season, was the outlier. And which season represents a fairer reflection of where Manchester United are right now.
The most likely answer is that this season is the outlier. Given the quality of players, the track record of the manager and where United have finished in the last few seasons, the current position of eighth place in the table is not one you would expect.
Gary Neville’s point of view
Manchester United legend Gary Neville always talks from the heart when it comes to discussing his beloved club, despite managing to retain his non-bias and professional outlook. And the point he made you gathered is one that had been festering in his mind for a while.
Gary was keen to stress first of all that only two of Jose Mourinho’s signings were playing in the derby. Compared to seven of Pep Guardiola’s signings for Manchester City. Begging the question of whether recruitment has been strong since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
He backed up this point further by going on to say that United are not in a position where they are only missing, “the final piece of the jigsaw,” and that the more likely scenario is that, “the jigsaw is half empty,”
If you are confused by Neville’s analogy then don’t worry because it seemed he was confused too. Admitting he doesn’t know if the Mourinho can get more out of his group or whether the players are good enough themselves.
Graeme Souness’s point of view
But to expect a new modern-day manager to come in and not sell his philosophies to the players is unfair. However, if the fans don’t like the style, why appoint the manager in the first place.
Graeme’s point was mainly centred around the United boss, Jose Mourinho. He believed the Portuguese-man can get more out of the players he has at his disposal. Referencing Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku all playing better under other managers.
Neville responded by claiming, Anthony Martial and Ander Herrera were performing to the same standards under previous manager Louis Van Gaal. But Souness was keen not to get drawn into “specifics” on who is good enough and who isn’t but continue to throw the question at Neville as to whether Mourinho is getting the best out of the group of players. Neville continuing with his belief that the problem goes deeper.
My take on the argument
I believe both parties make valid points. First and foremost, I don’t think Jose Mourinho is the right fit for Manchester United but that doesn’t mean I think he should be sacked. The hierarchy at the club extended his contract in January so Jose should be allowed to honour that contract.
Mourinho can get more out of these players. For Gary to reference the poor performances under Van Gaal and David Moyes too, is true to a degree, but some context needs to be brought in around it.
David Moyes was filling the biggest boots known to man, a tremendously difficult job. It seemed he made the mistake of changing too many things too early with the removal of backroom staff Mike Phelan and Rene Mulesteen.
So yes the players haven’t performed under previous managers, but they have a lot more ability than they are currently showing. I believe, from glimpses seen over the past few years, there is a good enough set of players to challenge top four and it is the manager’s job to find a way to make those players gel and perform consistently.
However, Jose Mourinho cannot be completely to blame. For Manchester United knew what they were getting when they hired him. It was a short-term decision that increases the brand of the club. And the signings on the pitch in more recent transfer windows have been purely brand signings.
You don’t need to have a team of world stars to be a world class team. Take Leicester City in 2015/16 for example. Not the most talented players, but a perfect storm where the manager found a system to deliver results and performance in perfect harmony.
Unfortunately for Manchester United at the moment, overhead is a very different kind of storm and putting an umbrella up is not the answer when they should be building a roof.