LONDON – A fourth successive winless game and another dire performance, Manchester United’s 0-0 Champions League draw with Valencia on Tuesday extended the club’s current crisis and prompted manager Jose Mourinho to question his role in their struggles.
The Portuguese cut a deflated figure at the post-match news conference after saying on Monday he felt no pressure.
Admitting he too was at fault for United’s poor start to the season, Mourinho, took some responsibility for backfiring tactics and team selection which he had previously defended adamantly.
“I think there are things that are difficult for me to say. I think you have enough reasons to criticise me,” he said.
Jose Mourinho admitted that he too was at fault for United’s poor start to the season. Photo: Lee Smith/Reuters
With United seemingly lacking depth and quality in all departments to launch a title challenge, it is questionable whether axing Mourinho would bring an instant change of fortunes.
Although Mourinho may be on borrowed time the current squad looks unlikely to start firing on all cylinders under another manager.
A shaky defence looks in constant need of protection by a midfield lacking creativity. This has the effect of forcing the forwards to drop deep in a predictable pattern, no matter how often the team’s formation is reshuffled.