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| Photograph: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images |
By Odiko Godwin
It was a night that every genuine Manchester United fan will want to forget in a hurry, as the team suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs. But, there were positives to take from the match even though the negatives superseded the positives. So, what can be taken from the Monday Night game at Old Trafford?
Luke Shaw has done enough to silence all his critics
When United played their third league game last season at Old Trafford against Leicester, Luke Shaw wasn't even named on the bench, as he was still battling to impress Jose Mourinho and critics. But, against Spurs last night, he didn't just impress, he was the only source of joy in a game that was covered with insurmountable pain and anguish from the fans' point of view.
I think he has shown enough quality in United's three games so far to finally shut the mouth of all his critics including Jose Mourinho. He was outstanding in a game United won v Leicester in the first match, blameless in United's second v Brighton and put up a performance worthy of great commendation last night v Spurs.
Having said all of that, I think he should maintain this level of brilliance and, if he can't step it up, he shouldn't drop from the level he has shown so far. As that is the only way he can reclaim his place in the England sqaud. A position he has since lost to players like Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose and Ashley Young.
Ed Woodward is to blame for Manchester United woes
I think the club needs someone that really knows about the footballing aspect of dealings other than just the marketing dealings. Louis van Gaal disclosed to the media the other day the reason he was sacked after winning the FA Cup for Manchester United. And from all he said, it was a matter of Woodward wanting to boost the market value of the club by letting go of LVG to bring in Jose Mourinho. With Woodward, It was always about boosting business and nothing about promoting the footballing aspect of the club.
Little wonder he went against the ideology and philosophy of the club to bring in Jose Mourinho whom he knew would be good for the marketing image of Manchester United.
I am fully blaming Ed Woodward for the mess United are in today not just for firing LVG to make room for Jose Mourinho, but for extending the contract of the Portuguese manager (who is known for short-term success) without fully backing the manager in the transfer window. That is the major reason why we are in this nauseating state.
You're extending the manager's contract, then give him whatever or whoever he wants! Failure to do so is helping a manager that is good at creating excuses for failure with a ready-made excuse for failing.
I reckon Manchester United needs a Sporting Director going forward and leave Woodward with the economic aspect of things. A Sporting Director that is extremely knowledgeable in the footballing aspects and has 'good-enough' knowledge about the philosophy and ideology of the club. And he will act as a middle figure between board and manager.
It's Jose Mourinho's third season, he's got to go!
It's not a hidden fact that Jose Mourinho hasn't lasted beyond three seasons in any of his previous jobs, it's always going to be a miracle if he stays beyond his third season as Manchester United's manager.
Left Porto in 2004 after his third season with the club, left Chelsea (in 2008) by mutual consent after spending three full seasons at the club, left Inter Milan in 2010 after two seasons with the Italian giant, left Real Madrid in 2013 by mutual consent after spending three seasons and returned to Chelsea where he wasn't able to complete his third season at the club after winning the Premier League title the previous season, as the club parted company with Mourinho in December 2015 after a run of poor results.
Jose Mourinho departed Porto and Inter not for poor results on the pitch, but for the fact he wanted bigger challenges. Meanwhile, he left Chelsea (twice) and Real Madrid for unpleasant issues that arose within the clubs and affected the teams'display on the pitch.
Was said to have departed Chelsea in his first stint with them after series of disagreements with owner Abramovich. His relationship with Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo became difficult and it led to his Madrid side performing woefully on the pitch, with Mourinho labeling that final season at Madrid ''the worst of my career''. Returned to Stamford Bridge and after spending two years, he began to have issues with some senior players in the squad - with some of those players growing sick and tired of his methods and attitude.
It's Jose Mourinho's third season at Manchester United and he is already upsetting a sizable number of players in that dressing room. Only natural to see the results turn soar.
His negative tactics or approach to games haven't helped matters too, and he is not one to be given a pass-mark for his man-management skill. It is now very obvious that this players don't want to play for this manager anymore.
It's Mourinho's third season, he's got to go!
Follow and interact with me on twitter by clicking on my twitter handle: @OdikoGodwin
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