London - No sooner had Manchester United lifted the FA Cup than talk of Jose Mourinho replacing Louis van Gaal began to overshadow their triumph. With the former Chelsea head coach likely to be appointed this week, Chris Wheeler assesses what his arrival would mean for United’s Wembley winners.
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MARCOS ROJO: Links to Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes, who is understood to have persuaded the club not to sell Rojo to Monaco as part exchange in the Anthony Martial deal. Likely to stay.
ANDER HERRERA: Van Gaal has mystified fans by leaving the former Athletic Bilbao midfielder out. An intelligent, hard-working player, he may find he is a better fit under a coach like Mourinho.
DALEY BLIND: The son of Van Gaal’s old ally Danny Blind, and the only player to publicly call for his Dutch compatriot to stay on Saturday, he is bound to be closely associated with the current regime. His best position is still up for debate, but would Mourinho wait to find out?
MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN: With Carrick expected to leave and doubts over the fitness of Bastian Schweinsteiger, there will be more opportunities for the Frenchman to impress.
MICHAEL CARRICK: T he 34-year-old thought the Cup final was his last game for United as he continues to wait for a contract offer, and the arrival of Mourinho will be unlikely to change that scenario.
CHRIS SMALLING: The England defender has been solid this season but with United being linked with Raphael Varane - signed by Mourinho at Real Madrid - among others, there could be changes ahead in central defence.
WAYNE ROONEY: Mourinho is an admirer of the United captain, having made two attempts to sign him after rejoining Chelsea. Rooney has since turned 30, but would still expect to be a key figure under the new manager.
MAROUANE FELLAINI: A symbol of the David Moyes era, the Belgian survived under Van Gaal, who valued his height against teams like Crystal Palace. Mourinho is also a fan of size and strength, but whether Fellaini fits the bill is another matter.
JESSE LINGARD: Van Gaal gave him a chance in his very first game in charge. Lingard could be forgiven for wondering if a change of manager would be in his best interests.
MARCUS RASHFORD: A lack of opportunities for homegrown talent is one of the issues that has dogged Mourinho throughout his career. Will he offer the teenage striker the trust and opportunity Van Gaal has?
ANTONIO VALENCIA: A strong, athletic full back who likes to get forward, Valencia appears to fit the Mourinho mould. He has certainly improved United since returning in March from a foot operation. No reason why he wouldn’t continue to be a key figure.
MATTEO DARMIAN: The versatile Italian, who came through the ranks at AC Milan while Mourinho was at Inter, has had a patchy first season since signing from Torino for £12.7m last summer. Needs to show improvement if he is to be first choice.
PHIL JONES: The England defender has reached a crossroads at United, where he has been beset by erratic form and injuries. Jones signed a four-year deal last year and he will be hoping that a change of manager might lead to a change of fortune.
DAVID de GEA: Reports last week suggested De Gea would go if Van Gaal stayed. He isn’t a big fan of goalkeeper coach Frans Hoek either. Far more likely that the Spain international would put off that move to Real Madrid now.
ANTHONY MARTIAL: The young Frenchman lit up a difficult season for United and his speed and skill would be an asset to any manager. The only question would be whether Mourinho wants to keep Martial on the wing or play him through the middle.
SERGIO ROMERO: The Argentina international stood in while De Gea’s future was being resolved last summer and has done little wrong when called upon since then. No reason why he can’t be trusted to provide back-up again next season.
JUAN MATA: Has every reason to be concerned at the prospect of a reunion with his old boss. Became a fringe player at Chelsea under Mourinho before joining United for £37m seven months later.
ASHLEY YOUNG: Adapted well to the ‘philosophy’ of Van Gaal, who used Young as a winger, wing back and, more recently a striker. He was rewarded with a new three-year contract last summer and would expect to be given a chance in the new set-up by Mourinho.
Daily Mail