Jose Mourinho and Manchester United. It’s a potentially explosive mix.
The Portuguese brings with him an exemplary CV and undoubted charisma. He also drags along more baggage than Mariah Carey on a short tour of Europe. So much could go wrong, but it is such an irresistible prospect that it had to happen one day. The ego is landing at Old Trafford and it certainly won’t be dull.
But what will it mean for the current playing staff? Is the first-team squad full of budding talents who weren’t allowed to flourish under Louis van Gaal’s strict tutelage? Or will it take a heavy rebuilding programme over the summer to bring the team up to the new manager’s very high standards?
We have judged the players based on Mourinho’s preferences and allocated them one of three traffic light verdicts: Green for safe, Red for those facing the chop, and Amber for maybes. Prepare to disagree strongly with our calls…
David de Gea
Ha! It’s less about whether Mourinho rates him and more about whether he fancies hanging about. The one definitely, absolutely, current world-class player at the club. Mourinho needs to make the side worthy of him.
Verdict:Â Green
Phil Jones
He’s not a kid anymore and yet Jones is no closer to holding down a first-team role for more than five minutes. A lot of his injuries are self-inflicted and Mourinho won’t appreciate his lack of discipline or structural integrity.
Verdict:Â Red
Marcos Rojo
On the one hand, Rojo obviously loves being at United. He has all the physical attributes that Mourinho loves in a defender and his enthusiasm is infectious. On the other hand, he isn’t very bright or very good at football.
Verdict:Â Red
Memphis Depay
Many would assume that the Dutch youngster would be one of the first out of the door, but his confidence took a battering under Van Gaal’s regime. Mourinho may help him recover his blistering PSV form.
Verdict:Â Amber
Juan Mata
Mata is not the same player he was at Chelsea, and has proved to be very hard-working and disciplined under Van Gaal. He may be given a fresh start by Mourinho, but let’s be honest, you’ve got to worry for his prospects.
Verdict: Red
Anthony Martial
A wonderful talent who has only yet given us small glimpses of his undoubted class. Mourinho will be excited about the chance to turn him into the world star everyone expects him to become.
Verdict: Green
Wayne Rooney
Rooney may be on the verge of becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, but he is not the striker he was, nor quite the midfielder he thinks he is. If the current captain is the United mole, Mourinho may be better off rid of him.
Verdict: Amber
Adnan Januzaj
Still only 21-years-old, Januzaj was a rare bright spark under David Moyes, but Van Gaal didn’t seem to rate him. The Belgian is supremely talented but there are some doubt about his suspect attitude. Could go either way.
Verdict: Amber
Chris Smalling
There’s talk of Mourinho wanting to bring in a completely new back four to the club, but Smalling has been largely excellent this season and so he’ll surely be given the opportunity to impress.
Verdict: Green
Michael Carrick
Mourinho used Xabi Alonso to great effect as a deep-lying playmaker at Real Madrid, and so Carrick may fulfil such a role. However, he has been poor of late and concedes far more fouls than he used to due to losing a yard.
Verdict:Â Red
Daley Blind
He has impressed in central defence for United, and Mourinho may value his versatility, but he won’t be starting at the back on a regular basis under the new manager. It’ll be midfield or a squad option if anything.
Verdict: Amber
Ashley Young
Another player whose versatility may be his greatest virtue. Young has the added advantage of being much faster and more dynamic than Blind, and those are assets that Mourinho appreciates.
Verdict: Green
Sergio Romero
Romero has stepped in manfully on occasions, but is far too much of a liability should De Gea experience any period of time on the sidelines. Mourinho likes first-class goalkeepers in reserve and Romero isn’t that.
Verdict:Â Red
Ander Herrera
At his best Herrera is a fine midfielder who adds urgency, box-to-box play and neat passing to the team. Unfortunately Van Gaal played him in a tactical straightjacket and his form suffered. Mourinho may set him free.
Verdict: Green
Luke Shaw
Prior to his injury, Shaw was a joy to watch on the left flank. He was solid in defence and an exciting, strong runner going forward. Mourinho will be very happy if he is the same player on his return to action.
Verdict: Green
Antonio Valencia
No one can doubt Valencia’s workrate and physical prowess, but is he good enough to get into Mourinho’s first team? Highly unlikely to be the first choice right-back, he may have to settle for a squad berth.
Verdict: Amber
Marouane Fellaini
Many United fans would happily drive Fellaini to any alternative club of his choice, and Mourinho is unlikely to play him as a starter. But he may still see value in keeping him as a strictly attacking plan B.
Verdict: Amber
Morgan Schneiderlin
The Frenchman has made no bones about his dissatisfaction at United following a season in which he was never really allowed a proper run in the side. One would assume his game would suit Mourinho’s tactics well.
Verdict: Green
Guillermo Varela
An attacking fullback who impressed the fans when given the opportunity. That said, he may be a little too erratic at the actual defending part of his job for Mourinho’s tastes.
Verdict: Red
Bastian Schweinsteiger
A fine player in his prime and incredibly popular amongst the supporters, it is difficult to see his role in a Mourinho side. Far more suited to the possession play of Van Gaal than his successor’s energetic style.
Verdict: Red
Paddy McNair
McNair was competent if not eye-catching in his performances under Van Gaal. He has impressed for the reserves lately in a holding midfield role, but the fruits of that positional change may be showcased elsewhere.
Verdict: Red
Jesse Lingard
Lingard has been on the receiving end of some harsh (and unfair) criticism from fans this term, so it was great to see him smash home the winner in the Cup Final. Mourinho will appreciate his energy and direct style.
Verdict: Green
Matteo Darmian
The Italian has experienced something of a mixed first season at United. He started off looking like Mr Dependable, but has since wavered between adequate and poor. Needs a big improvement to impress Jose.
Verdict:Â Amber
Marcus Rashford
Has done enough this term to prove his talents to the incoming Portuguese. Those who argue that Mourinho doesn’t give youth a chance miss the point regarding Rashford. He’s already been given his chance and he took it.
Verdict: Green
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
Another player who belies his age. So calm and composed is Borthwick-Jackson that you wonder whether he realises who he’s playing for. Reliable in defence and a brilliant crosser of the ball, he should catch the new man’s eye.
Verdict: Green
Andreas Pereira
Like Januzaj, there is no doubting his ability. He will make a name for himself somewhere, with his quick feet and delicious range of passing. Sadly, it may be in his best interests to flourish at another club.
Verdict: Red
Timothy Fosu-Mensah
One imagines that if Mourinho could invent his perfect prototype player, he would come out looking a lot like Fosu-Mensah. Strong, confident, technically-gifted and fast. The sky is the absolute limit for this future superstar.
Verdict: Green
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