No manager in world football has polarized supporters more than Mourinho, however those that are calling for his head have never managed gigantic football clubs on the level of Manchester United.
Graeme Souness, an ex-Liverpool player, has been one of the most vocal of Mourinho’s critics. While it is his job to criticise managers and offer suggestions, for the most part, they are to be taken with a grain of salt, not because of the obvious bias against Manchester United from his Liverpool playing days, but because his last managerial job was in 2006 for Newcastle United where they were almost relegated.
If these pundits have all the answers, as they claim on Sky, BT Sport and even our own Fox Sports, the age-old question must be asked, why are they not doing it themselves?
It is the same with ‘supporters’ on social media. A quick glance at the Facebook comments on anything to do with Mourinho on Manchester United’s news feed is filled with comments such as “Moaninho out” and “Buschester United (sic)”.
These supporters would do even worse than Souness did at Newcastle if they were to ever manage a club in the Championship, let alone a big club such as Manchester United.
Am I saying that these supporters should not have an opinion on how the club plays, its manager or transfer business? Well, that would be quite hypocritical of me, so no.
But I am calling for more context when it comes to these opinions, for people to do their research before making such claims. As the saying goes, you are not entitled to your opinion, you are entitled to your own informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.
Manchester United,have done very little in Europe since 2011. In contrast, Sevilla had won three Europa league titles in a row.
Mourinho’s Manchester United, however, have improved. Since finishing fifth in 2015-16, they’ve won the Europa League and the League Cup. Yes, United also finished sixth in the league but there were signs that the team was improving.
The graduates at Manchester United have been superb. Lingard is playing some of the best football of his career, Rashford has also had a decent season and Scott McTominay should develop into a brilliant player in the future.
Time is the thing that the Mourinho needs, he must be given this time because out of all of the managers in world football he is the one that most closely resembles Alex Ferguson in terms of philosophy – that is, to win at all cost.
The names that were thrown in the wind upon the sacking of Louis van Gaal – Ryan Giggs, Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino – have not had the same success that Mourinho has had. Mourinho fits the personality required to succeed at United, with his arrogance and a firm belief in his squad.
Like him or loathe him, Jose Mourinho is the only one for United.