Jose Mourinho and Manchester United are off to a flyer in the Premier League. While they sit in the same position they occupied at a similar stage last season, it isn’t hard to admit that everything feels better this time around.
10 goals and 3 clean sheets. Those were the two areas where United really suffered last season. They couldn’t score goals on a regular basis, and the collection of draws severely harmed their Goal difference; however, none of that could be said at the start of this season.
The clean sheets have come as a result of absolute defensive and midfield domination. Jose has systematically worked out where he felt the weaknesses of last season were, and rectified it.
His signing of a resolute holding midfielder in Matic has opened several avenues for attack in this Manchester United side. He has stuck out a new tactical plan that is being followed by his players, and they seem quite happy doing that!
Mata and Mkhitaryan’s interchangeability, Pogba’s newer advanced role, Lukaku’s adept finishing, Martial and Rashford’s trickery and pace are working a charm for him in the league. Not to forget the defensive assurance that has been brought due to the unwavering partnership of Bailly and Jones.
Manchester United, just as any oiled machine, is working efficiently and it’s all down to the cogs and parts that are in unison.
Another of United’s plus points this season has been their unwillingness to settle for a result. They don’t just sit back and invite pressure, which was a feature of their play for most of last season, instead they’ve taken the game to the opposition.
When the game against Leicester seemed to be heading to another of those ‘0-0’ games which haunted United at home last season, there was a sense of purpose with the introduction of Rashford. Somehow, you just knew that a goal was coming. That optimism has massively overshadowed the doubts many had in killing off games last season.
More importantly, we have witnessed a completely different Mourinho down on the touch-lines. This one does not frantically pace about the technical area, nor screams at the referee when a decision goes against him. We are looking at a manager who knows what his team is doing and trusts them to stick to the game plan and finish off the job within the stipulated 90 minutes.
His substitutes have been spot on, almost as if they know their contributions will be valued, even if provided with a lesser time frame.
This team looks like a proper Jose Mourinho team. And we’re looking at a hungry manager. That combination, more often than not, leads to successful campaigns.
