Manchester United stars are confused by Jose Mourinho’s chopping and changing of personnel and tactics. The United boss made six changes for Monday’s disastrous 3-0 hammering by Tottenham and played three centre-halves, including Midfielder Ander Herrera.
Old Trafford insiders say players were uncomfortable with the shake-up — and the muddled situation is leading to tension in the dressing room.
Mourinho even admitted not knowing what his best defence is.And £89million record signing Paul Pogba revealed he was shocked by their Tottenham tonking. The midfielder said: “Even we don’t understand what happened. It’s bizarre.”
While United’s dressing room used to be a happy, vibrant place, it has now gone quiet.
Players are reluctant to express opinions to their under-pressure boss about their plight.Mourinho has defended his team recently, having publicly criticised them on occasions last season.
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For some, however, the change has come too late — with Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly both particularly upset at being axed from Monday’s squad.
Mourinho’s job is safe for now and he retains the backing of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and owners the Glazer family.
However, there was bemusement in the directors’ area after Monday’s game when Mourinho’s press conference meltdown — which saw him demand respect for his three Premier League title wins — was replayed on TV screens.
Although according to former defender Gary Neville, Manchester United must stick with manager Jose Mourinho despite the club’s dismal start to the Premier League campaign.
Mourinho signed a contract extension in January to keep him at United until 2020 and Neville said he must be given the chance to turn the team’s fortunes around.
“We saw Louis van Gaal sacked after an FA Cup Final victory, we saw David Moyes sacked with four games to go of a season, so we are no longer talking about a club that is behaving as it has historically done,” he said.
“I accept these are different times and I accept the difficulties and challenges, but my honest view as I stand here now is that Ed Woodward gave him a contract last season … he should see that contract through to the end and do the job.”