21 Oct 2018 09:02:39
Did that supposed blue tinge that several members of the board allegedly still see around Mourinho, fade completely yesterday?

The ungrateful Chelsea fans chanted at him and their assistant goaded him. Personally his reaction to the goading and crowd said to me there should no longer be any hint of blue tinge.

The tactics and team selection were spot on yesterday, we deserved the win. My only disappointments were Lukaku who didn't seem to move (or move at all) from his comfortable spot in the middle until about 20 mins to go and the concentration of Pogba. Lukaku doesn't seem to add danger or movement in behind, seems to be bulky, doesn't work the centre backs, his control and working the ball is inadequate. He will have to improve and I hope our manager is as tough with Lukaku as he was with Shaw and Martial. However, before spending mega millions on a striker, keep an eye on Mason Greenwood, too young yet but he, like Chong, may have something.

We looked like we have turned a corner, looked like a team and that bodes well for coming matches and hopefully the season as long as the board back the manager.

1.) 21 Oct 2018
21 Oct 2018 10:07:43
If the board backed the manager, shaw and martial probably would not be at the club.

2.) 21 Oct 2018
21 Oct 2018 10:36:58
Dsg good point that.

3.) 21 Oct 2018
21 Oct 2018 10:53:40
Also on chong and greenwood, is mourinho the best manager to develop them.

Im just going on evidence, cast your minds back a couple of months to pre season when mourinho spent most press conferences bemoaning the fact he had to take the kids on tour with him.

4.) 21 Oct 2018
21 Oct 2018 12:52:04
Red Man/ DSG - I think you both make good points.

I don't think anyone has ever questioned Martial's talent. He is undoubtedly a brilliant and clinical finisher. The problem has been consistency and perhaps a questionable attitude at times. This is not unusual with young players but we're relying on him to produce the goods now and that's been the problem. Whenever he's been left out of the team it's always felt like he's being punished rather than protected and nurtured.

We've seen some extraordinary players mature and develop at our Club over the years from the Busby Babes to the Class of 92 to Rooney and Ronaldo and many more along the way. We all recognise and understand talent when we see it. SAF always demonstrated great faith in young players but his success at the Club bought him time and patience.

The point about Mourinho is pertinent. I think if he wants to be successful at Utd then he will have to be patient and play the long game. He came to Utd with a glistening CV, the self proclaimed Special One capable of recapturing past glories and chasing the noisy neighbours out of Town.

The problem was Utd weren't ready. We'd fallen behind. We had an unbalanced squad of average players littered with some very promising youngsters. This was never a quick fix. The younger players needed nurturing and patience. Recruitment needed to be intelligent and sensible. The re build slow and steady, piece by piece, brick by brick. Mourinho probably still hurting from his Chelsea catastrophe and fuelled by his own ego failed to recognise that success couldn't be achieved over night and he grew angry and frustrated.

The key to our future success rests at the feet of the likes of Shaw, Martial, Rashford, Bailly even Pogba (if he sticks around) . Recruitment should have been based around helping, nurturing and getting the best out of them not replacing them. Rojo, Darmian, Fellaini, Maybe even Smalling and Jones were the players that needed replacing.

By chasing success we have ignored the very principle's that got us there in the first place. Patience, trusting in youth and a commitment to attacking football.

Maybe the penny has finally dropped. The last couple of games have seen a return to the old Utd. Thrilling come backs, filled with drama and entertainment. I'm not sure we've ever really played beautiful football but it's always been thrilling and unpredictable and perhaps that's always been our biggest draw.

If a line in the sand can be drawn, if a deeper understanding of our style and tradition can be gauged, if the politics of the Club can be overcome, if patience and restraint can triumph over ego and self importance then I see no reason why this marriage of convenience can't enjoy some happy years together. Maybe the bigger issue is has the damage already been done? Time will tell I suppose.