da luck： The Manchester Derby was a sobering experience for Jose Mourinho.
da doce： His Manchester United side had started the campaign brightly, winning their first three Premier League fixtures with relative ease – albeit leaving it to the dying embers of the match against Hull City.
But noisy neighbours Manchester City absolutely steamrolled them on Saturday at Old Trafford. Pep Guardiola’s side began vibrantly and potently, amassing a two-goal lead after 36 minutes, and stayed a step ahead of the Red Devils throughout the match.
Before United face their local rivals once again in February – or for that matter, before they square up against bitter enemies Liverpool in October, their next heavyweight fixture – it appears Mourinho has some thinking to do.
With that in mind, here are FOUR crucial questions the Special One must consider ahead of United’s next high-profile Premier League clash. We’ll leave the Portuguese to come up with the answers, but you can leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
IS JESSE LINGARD THE MAN FOR THE BIG OCCASION?
Jesse Lingard’s inclusion in the starting line-up certainly raised some eyebrows, but Jose Mourinho’s logic was understandable.
Academy players often bring passion and pride to local derbies and furthermore, the 23-year-old falls into the bracket of hardworking winger Mourinho tends to love; inevitably, his start came at the expense of Anthony Martial, who’s far less enthralled by the idea of tracking back for 90 minutes. Likewise, Lingard boasts prior history on big occasions – particularly his stunning goals in the Community Shield and the 2016 FA Cup final.
But for all the theory, Lingard didn’t prove quite so effective in practice. In fact, he was hooked off at the interval after failing to register a single tackle, interception or successful dribble in the first half.
Of course, not every heavyweight fixture will pan out in the same way as the Manchester Derby, but having looked completely lost for 45 minutes, Lingard far from oozed big-game player. So our question is simple, is he ready to be thrown in at the deep end once again?
CAN PAUL POGBA PLAY IN A MIDFIELD TWO?
Manchester United didn’t pay £89million for a deep-lying midfielder and it appears Jose Mourinho has given Paul Pogba license to roam further forward – where his undoubted talent can be put to better use.
But as Jamie Carragher convincingly argued in the Sky Sports studio yesterday evening, the Frenchman’s positional ill-discipline left United exposed continuously throughout the first half. City inevitably took advantage of an isolated Marouane Fellaini and an unprotected backline.
Mourinho doesn’t look too interested in dropping Pogba anytime soon, so it’s more a question of whether the United gaffer is willing to adapt his formation to better fit the 23-year-old. The obvious solution is a more old fashioned 4-3-3 with another body behind Pogba, but who does that come at the expense of? Inevitably, it seems, Wayne Rooney.
The obvious solution is a more old fashioned 4-3-3 with another body behind Pogba, but who does that come at the expense of? Inevitably, it seems, Wayne Rooney.
SHOULD MARCUS RASHFORD BE STARTING?
Jose Mourinho elected not to start Marcus Rashford despite his England U21 heroics, netting a hat-trick upon his debut, just a matter of days earlier. Many would argue that decision came back to haunt the Special One as United found themselves pinned back, lacking a speedy outlet in the final third and desperately chasing down a 2-0 lead.
What Rashford does offer is fearlessness, pace and finishing ability – three characteristics that can not only turn a Manchester Derby on its head but any Premier League fixture. But the question remains as to whether he’s ready to start matches regularly, rather than have the advantage of entering from the bench to face tired defenders.
Logic suggests the latter scenario is still best for the 18 year old. But he’s progressed at such a phenomenal rate since debuting in February that refusing a starting berth could hold back the England international’s development. Right now, he’s more deserving of a starting berth than Rooney or Martial.
HOW CAN THE BACKLINE BE BOLSTERED?
Jose Mourinho’s sides are usually famed for their formidable backlines but Manchester United’s isn’t quite so inspiring – in fact, two of its members for the Manchester Derby, Daley Blind and Antonio Valencia, are converted midfielders.
Although Manchester City’s attacking prowess remains indisputable, United’s defence certainly got caught for the first goal with Blind and Eric Bailly worryingly out of sync – letting Kevin De Bruyne latch onto a loose header.
So the resulting question is obvious; how can Mourinho sure up United’s defence? The immediate solution is the re-introduction of Chris Smalling, who has been kept out of the side this term after suffering an injury.
But for heavyweight clashes of the Manchester Derby variety, it might be worth considering a more defensive alternative at right-back as well. Phil Jones could perform that role, adding height at set pieces, although we shouldn’t forget about the seemingly marginalised Matteo Darmian.