Manchester United 2 – Burnley 2
If there is a crisis club this Christmas period it is Manchester United.
After winning trophies in his first season in charge at Manchester United, Jose Mourinho was expected to challenge for the Premier League title at Old Trafford in 2017/2018.
Manchester City can go 15 points clear at Newcastle tomorrow night
And, Manchester United have been playing well until a few weeks ago. They were setting impressive numbers for goals and points but couldn’t keep pace with Manchester City.
Mourinho’s Manchester United are a much improved side, there is no denying that.
Yet, the last six days have been a disaster.
No one saw this blip coming, United looked to have recovered from the Manchester derby home defeat thanks to victories over Bournemouth and West Brom.
Bristol City, Leicester & Burnley
But, then came Bristol City to knock the holders out of the EFL Cup.
Swiftly followed by the missed chances and late Harry Maguire equaliser at Leicester.
Then came the fightback against Burnley which should have been a celebration of Jesse Lingard’s talent but instead turned into a referendum on Mourinho’s time at the club.
Will Jose Mourinho be in charge at Man United for 2018/2019?
There seems little doubt that Mourinho is under pressure and he will be relieved to see Southampton next up at Old Trafford on Saturday.
No one would have caught Manchester City this season, such has been their run of form. And, but for Ederson’s face, Manchester United would have the stopped the incredible Manchester City winning run.
Now, it looks like Manchester United are in a battle for the Top Four this season – which they remain favourites to come second.
Mourinho to PSG?
Chelsea are breathing down their necks and Manchester United fans must now be somewhat uneasy.
However, Mourinho is still in the Champions League so it is far too early to suggest The Special One only has months left at Old Trafford.
PSG do remain in the wings and are certain to want a new coach in the summer, though and this certainly feels like a key moment in the season.
What is a big club?
Jose Mourinho was always going to be somewhat salty at his presser following the Burnley draw and the question that riled the Portuguese manager was:
Is eight points from five games (a possible 15 points) acceptable for a club of Manchester United’s standing and one that is challenging for the title?
This question comes at just after 4:00 on the video below.
Mourinho then cites plenty of European clubs who, lets face it, would have loved the success of Manchester United in recent decades.
“When you tell a club like Man Utd, do you think Milan is not as big as us? You think Real Madrid are not as big as we are?
“I know what a big club is. One thing is a big club and another thing is a big football team. They are two different things.
“When you speak about responsibilities to win the Premier League, Tottenham doesn’t have that responsibility because they are not a club with the same history as us.
“Arsenal don’t have the responsibility to win it. Chelsea don’t have the responsibility to win it. When you speak about big football clubs, you are speaking about the history of the club.”
Then came what will now turn into a famous quote on Manchester City’s desire to spend huge amounts of money on full backs.
Mourinho: “Manchester City are buying full-backs for the price of strikers!”
It should come as no surprise that Mourinho did not mention Manchester City, Barcelona, Juventus or PSG – arguably the clubs Manchester United should be aspiring to match.
Jose Mourinho’s presser after Manchester United 2 – Burnley 2
Related: Marouane Fellaini discusses Man United future & slams Southampton man.
Update in Man United’s Bordeaux deal for Malcom.
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