MANCHESTER UNITED’S victory over Swansea on Sunday just papered over the cracks for Jose Mourinho.
The former Chelsea chief looks a shadow of the figure that shook up the Premier League over a decade ago.
The winning mentality, mystique and man management skills appear to have drifted away.
And whether United bigwigs admit it or not, Mourinho is a man under pressure.
The Premier League heavyweights lavished Mourinho with cash – both on his salary and in the transfer market.
The 53-year-old is pocketing an eye-watering £10m-a-year and splashed out over £150m on new signings over the summer.
Unfortunately none of the United new boys look value for money at the moment.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a freebie from Paris St-Germain.
In fairness to Mourinho, the Swedish superstar looks to be a reasonable short-term fix up front.
But Mourinho’s other big summer signing, Henrikh Mkhitaryan appears to have already been marginalised by his boss.
The midfielder dazzled at Borussia Dortmund before joining United for £35m, but he’s barely featured.
It’s clear Mourinho hasn’t been adopting a hearts and minds approach to team harmony – just ask Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The decorated German was bizarrely frozen out before being brought back into the first-team fold last week.
Mourinho might have kissed and made up with the experienced midfielder, but has now fallen out with two other stars.
Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw look to be heading for the exit after being publicly slammed by Mourinho for ruling themselves out of Sunday’s clash.
Mourinho’s behaviour is becoming ever more erratic and the United hierarchy need to be asking serious questions about his suitability for the role.
United will lock horns with Arsenal at Old Trafford after the international break.
A win on home soil against the Gunners is essential to kick start United’s stuttering campaign.
Mind you, not just any victory will do.
United desperately need to find some swagger and verve – a bit like their underperforming manager.
Mourinho sacked before the end of the season? Don’t bet against it.
DAILYSTAR.CO.UK
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