How José Mourinho Is Killing Manchester United
4. Playing Fellaini And Matić In Midfield
Certain Man United fans, Graeme Souness, and Jamie Carragher enjoy telling Paul Pogba he’s an overhyped clown, but it’s impossible for the world class star to show his attacking prowess when he has a tree and boring Serbian partnering him in midfield.
Both Fellaini and Matić are defensive minded, and Mourinho puts them in the starting 11 week in and week out to take turns babysitting the shambolic defence. At the theatre of dreams, the home of attacking football, playing two defensive midfielders is an embarrassing tactic which shows Mourinho doesn’t understand the club’s proud history.
Rather than sending Paul Pogba and Co. out to attack, attack, attack, Mourinho is instructing his players to be cautious. Now, with quick, skilful wingers, this strategy could allow Manchester United to counter-attack the opposition if it wasn’t for Fellaini and Matić being so slow with the ball. They each take way too many touches, and by the time they look up and pass the ball to Pogba, the opposition has already retreated into their own half, giving the world cup winner zero space and options.
If Mourinho wants any chance at finishing in the top four, he must choose between the back-passing Serbian and clumsy tree. He can’t continue playing six defenders, hoping for woeful performances and results to miraculously get better.