Sport
MAN UTD’S FIRST FOUR GAMES UNDER JOSE
After the anticipation of transfers and managerial changes, the new season is now in full swing. There’s been plenty of change at Manchester United HQ: new manager, new players, old players moving on and a new sense of confidence surrounding the team that was once forgotten. Man Utd’s first four games under Mourinho:
There’s a new era which the Red Devils have embarked on after the terrible mishaps in Louis van Gaal and David Moyes’s tenures. There’s hope and promise in the air at Old Trafford that was once terror and trepidation.
We now find ourselves at the end of August, four official games into José Mourinho’s reign as Manchester United boss. Four games, four wins – it couldn’t be more plain sailing as that, something United have sorely lacked: simplicity.
Against Leicester City in the Community Shield – which, in truth, is a glorified friendly – Manchester United were clinical and forceful. There was no sitting on the halfway line hoping for something to happen. The Red Devils were on the front foot, hounding down the Foxes playing in the penetrative areas of the pitch.
With that win under their belt, the confidence began to rise. An opening game away to Eddie Howe’s energetic Bournemouth team isn’t an easy feat and can be a difficult place to claim three points on the road. However, Mourinho handled the occasion perfectly.
What was interesting is that under LVG, Man Utd would rest on their laurels after going 1-0 up and attempt to see out the game – to which sometimes would backfire. Mourinho has been lauded as a defensive coach, yet after going 1-0 up against Bournemouth, United chased a second and a third goal – in which they were successful in doing so. The Portuguese manager won’t shut down after leading by one goal, he will strive for more.
Paul Pogba’s (second) debut will be remembered for years to come, if it’s not for the fact that rival fans videoed the Frenchman’s first touch that was skewered. However, what they didn’t video was the rest of Pogba’s performance, which was exemplary and world-class. Pogba dominated from start to finish and it’s clear to see why he’s labelled as one of the best box-to-box midfielders int he world. The pure energy and pace in which he plays the game is astonishing. It’s as if every other player is in slow motion while Pogba ice-skates past them gracefully.
And then came the game before the international break. Hull, who were joint top of the table, were no easy customers. It was clear to see their game plan straight from the off: park 10 men behind the ball and try to launch a counter-attack.
90 minutes of pure domination couldn’t provide the breakthrough for Man Utd. It was deep into Fergie time that saw Rooney glide past his marker, provide a low-drilled cross into the area with the opportune Rashford on the end of it. It’s early doors, but Man Utd look well drilled, energetic and understand what the manager wants from them.
Key player so far: Zlatan Ibrahimović.
