MANCHESTER UNITED “WERE obviously not trying for Jose Mourinho”, says Gary Neville, with it difficult to see how a side that can “switch on and off like a tap” can challenge for the Premier League title.
Having finished as runners-up behind Manchester City in 2017-18, the Red Devils were expected by some to push themselves into contention for the top-flight crown this season.
They were, however, to endure a disastrous opening under Mourinho, with a humbling tumble down the table leading to their Portuguese coach being relieved of his duties.
Interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to salvage their campaign, having overseen seven successive victories in all competitions, and has United back to within three points of the top four.
Neville, though, doubts that the current group of players – given the attitude they have displayed to date – are capable of forcing their way back into the frame for major honours.
The former Red Devils defender told Virgin Radio: “I think when he [Solskjaer] came in, the club couldn’t have been any lower in terms of expectation, there was a bad feeling around the club.
“He’s done an incredible job, he’s put himself in the frame and he keeps on winning. I think it’s the best start for any Manchester United manager in the history of the club. It’s unbelievable really.
“The Manchester United players at the end were obviously not trying for Mourinho as they just switched the tap on and off. The difference is incredible but I must admit I have my doubts about those group of players.
“It’s that they can just switch on and off like a tap, it doesn’t fill me with confidence that they can take Manchester United back to the title but what they are doing at least is performing to their capabilities.”
I’m surprised United fans have stood by pogba recently. His form has obviously improved and no doubt moyrinho didn’t help to get the best out of him before that, but pogba clearly down tools to get his way and in doing so showed zero respect for the club. He shouldn’t be celebrated for his recent form.
@Paul Mallon: But if Ole has got him playi g well then perhaps hes realized theres more to life than his ego and that includes playing well as many times as he can. He clearly doesnt like Jose because Jose had a large ego also. Ole is extremely down to earth. That is what Paul needs to mature.
@Paul Mallon: I can’t put a number on the amount of people I’ve heard bitching about their manager in work in my lifetime, but it’s fairly common. Do you really think people who don’t like their boss or get treated unfairly put in 100 percent effort every day? I don’t think so. Now tell me why Pogba should be any different. Yeah maybe he “downed tools”, but maybe he saw that as the only way to ultimately deal with Mourinho. A lot of people sided with Harry Arter during the Roy Keane debacle but then tend to get aggrieved when Pogba doesn’t perform for one of the most vindictive managers ever witnessed. No player is bigger than the club but no manager is bigger than the club either.
@Gavin Mitchell: thats a nice idea but its pretty unlikely Pogba has had some sort of self realisation. Much more likely is as a spoiled child who’s got his way hes happy for the meantime.
But how long will it last?
Loyalty is clearly not in the mans vocabulary. And the players can’t run the club which they seem to be doing now. In the short term it may get results but long term its a recipe for disaster
@Stephen Lyons: I agree no player or manager is bigger than the club and Jose was rightfully sacked but pogba is been lauded despite been completely unprofessional. Pogba should have no say in who’s the manager of United but yet he had a huge say and got away with it. If United go for say Conte as their next manager, who’s an authoritarian and he expects more defense and work ethic from pogba, will he down tools again.
@Stephen Lyons: so the same people who sided with Harry Arter got aggrieved over Pogba – you’re a fairly knowledgeable man!!
Neville is just riling up these ManU divas. Take no notice. They’ll bomb again.
@Stephen Lyons: To a certian extent I see your point, however Mourinho constantly undermined hes players openly for everyone in the world to see.
Hes brand of football was blatantly counter productive, as a manager utterly under performed but also infused a toxic atmosphere within the club. I do like the build up of player power, however in this case I will make an exception.
@Paul Mallon: I’m United fan. I don’t know exactly we’re expected to be doing right now about him. We’re fans, not inner management. Both Pogba and the team are performing well right. Whether we like it him or not that’s what is happening. What? Are we supposed to be in an uproar? He may acted like an entitled bitch, but this all started with him simply hinting his problems with the restrained way the team was being asked to play, something other players did too, but don’t get named as much as Pogba. This is not a problem that was evident just this season. All the fans were becoming more and more fed up with this negative football from a manager not many of us wanted. The only fans who don’t see the issue are the ones benefitting from United becoming a shadow of their former selves.
@Paul Mallon: I agree that he downed tools but I can’t but blame Mourinho in this situation, if it was Conte I’d probably have a different opinion because he’s not a sh*t-stirrer like José.
@Sheila Teehan: I said they tend to, I was just using the Keane situation as a similar example. Plus I wouldn’t say I’m that knowledgeable but thanks for the compliment!
Chelsea did it
I think the players are now finally trusted on their abilities. I don’t think Mourinho would approve Shaw or Dalot bombing forward down the wings every game. He didn’t trust Shaw. Publicly stated he’s not good enough, over weight etc. Same for a number of players. Kept stating he needed quality signings. He restricted players. He had Pogba playing deep defensive midfield. If you’re playing Junior B hurling or Pro Football, if you’re constantly told “you’re not good enough, only do this, we need better players”, then of course that’s going to affect your play. You’re gonna start believing it. Olé is telling players all they’re good at, they’re strong points. The forwards and attacking mids are top class. Defence has improved too. Man management is massive. The players can play. Let them.
Always amazed me the Jose love in, he comes to a club they win things he’s a brilliant manager look how he’s changed the teams fortunes, he gets sacked because of his awful style of play new manager comes in they win 7 on the trot..they downed tools for Jose. Which is it? The previous managers players didn’t down tools it was Jose’s genious, but when he flops it’s still not his fault they downed tools???? He can do no wrong?
Ole doing great because he’s playing players the fans want to see in their right positions and tellin then to go out there and win the game instead of Jose playin lukaku/Fellini hoofing it and telling his teams to go out and not lose the game!!
Pogba is a top player and he’s quieting the critics