Pep Guardiola’s miraculous achievements this season with Manchester City have certainly made Jose Mourinho’s exploits seem more dated, and less successful, than they would be considered in a regular season, but there is no doubt that something is seriously wrong at Manchester United.
Ever since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 United have looked lethargic, struggling to keep up with modern football’s demand for high-pressing and constant movement. Mourinho has already achieved more than either of his two predecessors, but nevertheless his side similarly suffer from a certain tactical rigidity – one that threatens to leave the Portuguese outdated in the modern era. He must learn to adapt his philosophy and embrace modernity, or else his time at the top of the football pyramid will come to an end.
It doesn’t look likely.
Lucas Moura has reportedly become a transfer target for Man Utd, according to Sky Sports, which should set off alarm bells for United fans hoping to win the title any time soon. The Brazilian winger is exactly the sort of one-dimensional, straight-lined footballer that Mourinho continues to put his faith in – but is clearly unsuited to Premier League football in 2018.
His production has improved every years, despite limited game time. Moura has averaged just around 11 goals & 11 assists the last 4 years. A goal or assist every 142 minutes.
United’s squad is full of players whose roles are simplified. Romelu Lukaku is the archetypal centre-forward who does not drop deep to help in the build-up; Marcus Rashford has been developed into a one-track winger who looks to hit the byline whenever possible; Paul Pogba shuttles in vertical lines, looking to cross the ball as often as possible; and Nemanja Matic is an old-school defensive midfielder, incapable of contributing in all areas of the pitch.
Mourinho is building a team that is a decade out of time, relying on individualistic elements to create a side that grinds out wins that sadly isn’t very relevant in the modern game. Increased fitness and tactical intelligence in the Premier League in recent years means universalism has become the norm; every player must be an all-rounder, contributing in multiple phases of play. This is why United are dropping silly points and why all the signs point to Mourinho losing his edge.
What’s more, the emergence of a top six means ten domestic matches per season are against fellow challengers. Consequently, grinding the minnows into submission with one-dimensional, but efficient, attacks isn’t good enough to win the title anymore; this was only ever an effective philosophy when Mourinho sides had one serious title challenger.
Lucas Moura perfectly fits the tried-and-tested Mourinho formula. He cannot roam intelligently into the half-spaces like Jesse Lingard or defend doggedly when his team don’t have possession. Instead, Lucas is an old-fashioned winger, repeating the same run-at-‘em-and-shoot methods over and over, not unlike Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend. For Mourinho, he is a missing piece in the jigsaw – a guy who can get past the full-back and cross it – but that just isn’t good enough when you’re competing against so many strong teams in England.
For any United fans hoping Mourinho might learn how to update his methodology, take note: his pursuit of Lucas Moura is further evidence that the Portuguese refuses to budge. He will double down on those gradually congealing tactics and thus continue to fall short. That 21st top-flight title isn’t coming anytime soon.
