Victor Lindelof
Okay, maybe we are stretching the youngster thing a bit too much, but the Swede is only 24 years old and may be considered a young man at the least.
He is the same age as Bailly, who is already United’s best defender and hence is not a part of this list. But Lindelof should be the ideal partner for Bailly this season and his performance in the World Cup alone is enough to justify that.
Lindelof looked assured and confident and that is what a little trust from the people around you can do. Last season, Mourinho shuffled around his defense a bit too much for anyone’s liking and coming into a new team, in a league as competitive as the Premier League took its toll on Lindelof.
Yet his attributes make him the perfect partner for Bailly. Bailly is strong and fast, but not so good with the ball going forward. Lindelof is very good with the ball and can initiate attacks from the back.
Bailly can be a little eccentric at times, but Lindelof is a picture of calm. Together, these two can form another formidable defensive partnership that has been the mainstay of United’s title-winning sides of the past.
As such, Lindelof needs his manager to root for him, to guide him and yes, again, to give him a little trust. The Swede definitely deserves that.
Mourinho needs to stick to a formation and use Bailly and Lindelof continuously so that these two get a run of games together and builds an understanding between them.
Also, rendering a person useless at the slightest hint of an error is a big no-no. Everyone needs time, and support and if Mourinho could man manage the Swede, Lindelof could be the answer to United’s defensive worries.
Marcus Rashford
He was handed the No.10 jersey this season, which shows the immense faith the Board and maybe even Mourinho has on him.
And the boy does have bundles of talent to make it work, and he does not turn 21 until october!
Rashford has a ferocious shot in him, is as fast as footballers come and have quite a bit of skill in him too.
What lets him down is his decision-making abilities and the fact that he tries to do all on his own sometimes.
While these are natural problems at his age and can be improved with experience, Mourinho could put an arm around his shoulder and show him the way. He could point out Rashford’s mistakes and help the boy rectify them.
And he could also help the youngster adapt his game to be a bit more versatile. As of now, Rashford is very effective in the left of the front three, but not so through the middle or the right. Once he adds these qualities to the facets of his game, he will become unstoppable and will be a Manchester United Superstar.
First of all, Mourinho needs to let him play his natural game. Tracking back all the time takes a toll on his attacking abilities and puts him out of position many times.
Next, Mourinho could also deploy him down the right and ask him to stretch the defense and put in crosses.
The Manchester United No.10 has all the abilities of player of the iconic shirt number, so it is up to Mourinho to nurture him and shape him into a world winner.