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Man Utd: Jose Mourinho is to blame for Sevilla – but not their plight
Manchester United lost 2-1 to Sevilla in the Champions League last night, ending their hopes of winning the prize for the first time since 2008.
Fans were quick to blame Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba with the blockbuster duo flattering to deceive once again.
The mood around Old Trafford is one of doom and gloom and, at the moment, Manchester United are a shadow of their former self.
Express Sport looks at the individuals under fire and tries to get to the bottom of their post-Ferguson plight.
Jose Mourinho
Why he could be blamed: Manchester United are making slow progress under Jose Mourinho. The 54-year-old has won silverware galore during his career but the Premier League and Champions League trophies will not be heading to Old Trafford this season.
Is he to blame? For last night’s defeat to Sevilla, yes. Mourinho set United up too negatively but, despite that, he deserves one more season in charge. He took over a team in a dire state in 2016 and he needs one more big summer to ensure they finally shrug off the demons of the past.
Blame rating: 3/10.
Louis van Gaal
Why he could be blamed: Before Mourinho, there was Louis van Gaal. He won the FA Cup during his time at Manchester United but bored fans to tears in the process and did little to get the team on track.
Is he to blame? It would be rude to blame all of United’s troubles on Van Gaal but, as transitional managers go, he did a poor job. He signed the wrong players – Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Sergio Romero all remain but all are average. Players with talent, Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay, were signed and later sold after flattering to deceive. His policies mean the club are still playing catchup.
Blame rating: 6/10
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Manchester United toiled when Louis van Gaal ruled the roost
David Moyes
Why he could be blamed: David Moyes was axed just 10 months into a six-year deal at Manchester United. He should still be there now but Van Gaal and Mourinho have since been charged with the task of tidying his mess.
Is he to blame? Unfortunately, Moyes doesn’t deserve any credit for his time in the job. Literally, nothing. In just 10 months he ripped apart the style guide, signed Marouane Fellaini and cowered as a Grim Reaper mocked him on his return to Everton. Had he got things right, Van Gaal would never have been needed.
Blame rating: 7/10
The Glazers
Why they could be blamed: The Glazer family have backed Manchester United managers in the transfer market but their spending is nothing compared to Manchester City across town. And look how good their money has been.
Are they to blame? Weird one, this. The Glazers HAVE backed United – deals for Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao all cost a pretty penny one way or the other. Unfortunately, though, more is required. This summer is a big one for them as Mourinho needs backing – and they must provide it.
Blame rating: 3/10
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Manchester United star Paul Pogba has done little since his Juventus move
The players
Why they could be blamed: Manchester United players have changed since Ferguson’s final season. Nobody has emerged as a leader during the last few years and their off-field antics have often left much to be desired.
Are they to blame? Quite a bit. It’s all very well blaming the manager but the players are the ones on the pitch. Against Sevilla, nobody looked like they wanted the ball. In the more humiliating defeats in the post-Ferguson era – 3-0 battering to Manchester City and Liverpool in 2014, a 2-1 Champions League loss to Wolfsburg the following year, a 4-0 thumping by Chelsea in 2016 – nobody has ever looked like being the hero. And that is a huge problem.
Blame rating: 6/10