The End of Mou at United

It was expected given the troubles Manchester United have had this season that José Mourinho will the managerial job at Old Trafford. Now after 17 games in the league season so far with 19 points off the top of the table, 11 points off the final UCL, 8 points off fifth place and a Round of 16 draw against PSG in February, Manchester United finally gave Mourinho the sack and now have to go back to phase one.

For Mourinho, this will hurt a lot given how bad his second stint with Chelsea ended after winning the Premier League title the previous year. Going to Manchester United was still as a coup for both manager and the club to return to their glory days despite many questioning the appointment. While Mourinho is responsible for United's decline, it's not entirely on him.

The Manchester United hierarchy should share the responsibility given how poor that have matters from Mourinho to their transfer dealings. Giving Mourinho a new contract after his second season was bad judgement by Ed Woodward, putting United in a tight spot if results don't go their way and didn't back him in the summer to improve on the defence which Mourinho knew was a problem with the heroics of David de Gea saving United points last season. Plus, United's transfer strategy since Ferguson's departure has been open gun fire with no clear targets or deals that didn't go over the line explaining the need of a Director of Football or a Sporting Director to improve United's transfer dealings as they are clearly behind their rivals.

For Mourinho, despite spending millions in the transfer window, hasn't improved not one player and his poor man-management has had it's effects on the players. Paul Pogba, who was a standout performer in Juventus, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata haven't improved or have stagnated under the Portuguese. Mourinho's handling of Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw really turned people off the wrong way and his pragmatic approach to games hasn't helped the confidence of the players.

It depends who United get with Zinedine Zidane the only top manager that is available with Laurent Blanc and Leonardo Jardim the other likely choices. United have at least sorted out one problem but now have to put the house in check.