The special one is just receiving pressure from everywhere. Jose Mourinho’s starting line-up against Southampton caused a stir on Twitter.
The Portuguese tactician has opted to play Nemanja Matic at centre-back despite having Marcos Rojo available on the bench.
According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling are both out nursing fresh injuries, but that still doesn’t explain why the manager would overlook an actual centre-back to shoehorn Matic into the team.
That may be the reason Diogo Dalot wasn’t handed the start as Ashley Young’s experience will be key in a defence consisting of a holding midfielder.
The midfield sees significant change too. It looks like we’ll be set up in a diamond, headed by Paul Pogba, who will look to create opportunities for Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford. Scott McTominay has a big task on his hands to protect the defence, while Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini look to win every battle in the middle.
Below are tweets reacting to Mourinho’s team selection.
That must be one of the worst teams we’ve put out in 30 years.
— Andy (@WEWANTGLAZEROUT) December 1, 2018
The saving grace is that Southampton have only won one game all season!
— Alan Tonge (@Alan_Tonge) December 1, 2018
Matic at CB.. pic.twitter.com/wzwq1wJRoA
— ManUnitedZone (@ManUnitedZone_) December 1, 2018
Rojo on the bench but he starts Matic at centre-back? Huh?
— StrettyNews.com (@StrettyNews) December 1, 2018
Zero width zero pace.
“Playing football the Matt Busby way….”
— PercyToplis (@PercyToplis) December 1, 2018
Amid the issues with the defence, Anthony Martial’s demotion is a tad harsh. Not performed in last two games, but he’s #mufc‘s top scorer and Lukaku (struggling to finish) has been recalled and Rashford (struggling to finish) retained. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 1, 2018