Three Trophies for the “Finished One” 27 May 2017 14:36

By Frank Mead, Editor

So apparently, the Special One is no longer so special. According to some, mainly those who will use any stick they can find to beat Manchester United with, José Mourinho has lost his Midas touch. Really?

It’s a sad indication of how the game of football has evolved that finishing third or fourth in the league means more than trophies. So much so, that because Pochettino, Guardiola and Klopp guided their clubs into the Champions League, they are seen as better managers.  Not strictly true though is it?

Granted, United have qualified for Europe’s top competition through the back door, but Wednesday’s final in Stockholm gave me an immense sense of pride in my club, and my beloved city of Manchester. After the awful events that unfolded earlier this week, it seemed that most of the country were willing us to win the trophy. But prior to the final, pundits and media alike were speculating that it will have only been a successful season if United won, and gained entry back into the Champions League.

Perspective

It is true that Wednesday’s victory has made it a more successful campaign, because it will make United a far more appealing prospect for future transfer targets if they can offer Champions League football. But Mourinho had already done what no previous manager has ever managed, by winning a trophy, the League Cup, in his first season. The Community Shield he won in August makes it two pieces of silverware, even though it is not a trophy in the same sense. In other words, it’s not a tournament, or a major trophy. Nevertheless, every club that has ever won the Community Shield lists it on their achievements.

The Europa League, however, takes it to an entirely new level. Aside from it completing United’s trophy collection, it has put the club back at Europe’s top table. Call it arrogance if you like, but that is exactly where a club the size of Manchester United should be.

UEFA have long been accused of bias against English clubs, but even they know that more people will be watching the Champions League if the Red Devils are in it. For that reason, it’s very likely that most of the top brass at Europe’s governing body wanted Mourinho’s side to win in Stockholm. It’s the same as when fans of other clubs moan because practically all of United’s domestic cup games are televised. When we are on, the world watches, whether they love us or hate us. This is why United get the lion’s share of TV coverage, because we will draw a much bigger audience than something like Barnsley versus Walsall.

The Finished One?

There is no doubt that Manchester United have completely underwhelmed in the Premier League. Maybe Mourinho overestimated the capabilities of his squad when he took the job on. There is no doubt that all of the players he brought to the club are of the highest quality, but too many of the players that were already at Old Trafford are bang average.

By the start of winter, it was quite clear that we weren’t going to trouble the title race, but a top four finish should not have been out of the question. Unfortunately, poor finishing meant that that we drew far too many games at home. Against Burnley, we had 37 shots at goal and still drew a blank. We also dropped points against Stoke, Bournemouth, Swansea and Hull. Forget the cliché that there are no easy games in football, all five of those should be a guaranteed three points at home. One goal in each of those matches would have seen United finish third. Let’s also not forget Arsenal grabbing one at the death in a game they barely participated in.

To say that all of these are the manager’s fault is just lazy. Sure, Mourinho will be culpable for some of the results where we have dropped points, but in games like those what is he supposed to do? He’s got a squad packed with internationals who are creating chance after chance, and squandering it. He can’t go on the pitch and put it in the net for them.

Despite United’s woes in the league, they did well in all the cup competitions. Those who say Mourinho put all his eggs in one basket are gravely mistaken; he only did that towards the end of the campaign. When it got to April, and we were still dropping silly points to teams like Swansea, it was clear that the Europa League was our best chance of a route back into the Champions League. He knew he had to win the trophy – but winning trophies is what Mourinho does best.

So let Liverpool, City and Tottenham fans go on about their top four finish. United will dine at the same table as them next season, and have two trophies to show for it. But sure, Mourinho is finished. Unlike Klopp, Guardiola and Pochettino, our manager knows what it takes to win this league.

Going Forward

Mourinho has to use this now as the catalyst to put United back on the top as one of the world’s top teams. Now that they are back in the Champions League, the only thing that will put potential signings off a move to Old Trafford will be the weather.

It remains to be seen whether or not United can win next season’s Premier League. But given the signings he made last summer, it seems he knows what the club need. At the very least, they need to put up a challenge. Over to you, José.