da bwin： Another bad result for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side on Sunday means that the Old Trafford outfit are now a massive nine points adrift of Champions League qualification in the Premier League.
da fazobetai： Perhaps then Mourinho’s Christmas shopping needs to be more effective than most of his rivals’. While we’re buying mulled wine and oven food that’s bad for us, the Man United boss will be busy writing up a list that he can take to his bosses to convince them to spend more money.
Paul Pogba’s record breaking transfer hasn’t been enough to turn Man United’s fortunes around alone this season and more work has to be done to fix a squad that is actually performing worse now than it was this time last season under Louis van Gaal.
So what’s the answer? And what areas of the squad should Manchester United spend money on?
These are our FIVE priorities that we think must be on Mourinho’s Xmas list heading into January…
Get a partner for Pogba
Pogba has gone some way to living up to his price-tag already this season. At times looking like the only United player worth anything, he’s tried his best to bring his team on to new heights.
Mourinho has struggled to find a settled partner for him all season, though, with Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera not quite doing the job required and Marouane Fellaini looking rather shambolic when he’s featured.
A defensive midfielder of genuine quality would do wonders for Pogba and give him the license to stamp his authority on matches to an even greater degree than he already has. With the likes of John Obi Mikel linked with the club last week, it’s clear this is an area Mourinho is looking at.
Look for a star central defender
Manchester United are not only scoring less frequently than their top four competitors, they’re also shipping more goals – only Liverpool have conceded more than them in the Premier League this season and Klopp’s side are monstrously clinical at the other end.
Mourinho needs a leader in that backline, someone who’s going to galvanise his defence and guide them through adversity.
With the Man United boss in reportedly in for defenders like Jose Fonte this January, that player may not be far away.
An alternative to Ibrahimovic
There’s no doubting that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proven himself to be every bit the player everyone thought he could be at Old Trafford. With twelve goals and two assists in 21 appearances, he’s been by far United’s most effective attacking player.
At 35-years-old though, he isn’t getting any younger and should he get injured, United really have no orthodox striker in the same vein as the skilful target man.
Forwards like Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have all been deployed in wide or attacking midfield areas and likely wouldn’t fit into the system currently deployed by Mourinho.
United are taking a big risk relying on ‘Ibra’ as their sole striker and it’s a risk that should be mitigated by bringing in a player that can hit the ground running should the worst happen.
More ability in wide areas
Part of United’s problems this season has been their lack of creativity in wide areas. The likes of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford aren’t really getting the job done and lack the experience to be relied upon consistently.
Depending on Juan Mata to deputise on the right is a problem too given that he’s most effective when played through the middle.
Bringing in a winger of genuine quality could add a different dimension to United’s attack and really unleash the finishing ability of Zlatan, Rooney and co.
Get rid of the deadwood
Man United have a lot of high profile and highly paid players that aren’t getting a game under Jose Mourinho – Morgan Schneiderlin, Ashley Young, Memphis Depay, Phil Jones and Michael Carrick all have under five Premier League appearances so far this season.
Moving these players on would not only be financially beneficial but in terms of morale it could be the fresh start Mourinho needs to get his squad playing again. Signing two or three first-team players and getting rid of a similar amount could be the breath of fresh air that kick-starts United’s season.