Is Manchester United going back to their old dark Mourinho days?

After the exit of Jose Mourinho and the incoming of the current United manager, Ole Gunnar Solkjaer who was then a caretaker manager, things looked like they were picking up.

So flowering was United that everyone said that the ever-smiling Ole should be given the job as a full-timer.

And for sure, he was given the job but after being given the wheel, things have never been the same again atTrfford, the record has gone from bad to worsts as it was in the days of Mourinho.

In a season of highs and lows for Manchester United, this took Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign to new depths.

United were awful, a complete shambles in defence and now they cannot even beat one of the worst teams in Premier League history.

This was a return to the dark days of Jose Mourinho and provided a clear message to Solskjaer that he might have to rip up the whole squad and start all over again.

United, after all, is the club which likes to think of itself as the biggest in the world, is proud of its glorious traditions and yet the current team lacks quality, desire and direction.

They could not even manage to lift themselves for one last push for the top four which ended any lingering hope of Champions League football next season which, in itself, used to be unthinkable for United.

United knew it was a gamble to go for Solskjaer but they even managed to get that wrong as by installing him before the end of the season it allowed too many players to reveal their true colours.

They took their foot off the gas as soon as Solskjaer got the job permanently, that glorious Champions League night in Paris also a distant memory because reality has kicked back in.

We all thought they had downed tools on Mourinho but actually they just raised themselves for a few weeks under Solskjaer and maybe this is actually their true level. And it is a million miles off United standards.

David de Gea is suffering from a crisis of confidence, Paul Pogba coasting with his mind already on Real Madrid, Marcus Rashford struggling while Phil Jones and Luke Shaw had calamitous games in defence.

Alexis Sanchez was given a rare start presumably to put him in the shop window – and lived up to his billing as one of the worst signings in United’s history.

This team needs a complete overhaul and it is beginning to look a job too big for Solskjaer and way beyond a manager of his limited experience no matter his status as a club legend.

Huddersfield was supposed to be a gift for United because they have been so bad, managing just three wins all season and have endured a staggering 14 home defeats. Basically, everyone is supposed to beat this lot.

And, in fairness, it started according to the script. Huddersfield midfielder Juninho Bacuna gave away possession, Scott McTominay charged forward and then hit a hopeful shot which went straight through keeper Jonas Lossl.

It was a terrible goal for Huddersfield to concede but typical of their season. At least McTominay provides some hope for the future as the homegrown midfielder does look a bright prospect.

But Huddersfield did not buckle, they began to find gaps behind United’s defence and, while Pogba hit the crossbar, more danger was happening at the other end.

They grew in confidence. Karlan Grant went close and you could feel the momentum growing as the fans began to believe they could get something.

It was Lossl’s long punt downfield, Shaw failed to cut it out and Belgian striker Isaac Mbenza raced away. Mbenza had not scored since joining on loan from Montpellier but he finally broke his duck on his 23rd appearance to equalise after 60 minutes.

No-one could quite believe it in the crowd and even Mbenza seemed a bit surprised. He was so out of practice with his goal celebrations that even that went wrong as he broke a corner flag and the game had to be delayed while it was replaced.

Rashford missed a big chance, Pogba hit the underside of the bar and Lossl made a good save from substitute Tahith Chong after Solskjaer sent on the kids in desperation.

By the final whistle, the away end was half empty as United’s fans had given up. It was a thoroughly bad day for United and one which will leave Solskjaer in no doubt of the size of the task ahead.


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