Manchester United’s current struggles are receiving coverage around the European media, and probably nowhere more so than Spain. The twin package of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Mourinho at Old Trafford, allows the Spanish media to push a greater interest than perhaps they otherwise would have done.
Guardiola’s Manchester City have been on a poor run, but given that they’ve remained top of the Premier League, there hasn’t been much criticism. However, Manchester United now find themselves 8th in the Premier League, below Watford, which is understandably receiving negative attention.
Not for the first time this season, Manchester United’s general play against Burnley was good, back they failed in their most important task and couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. It’s not bad luck that sees Mourinho’s men below Watford after 10 games, but various things lacking from game to game.
Paul Pogba has come in for crticism after his big money transfer, but against Burnley he looked good, especially as the game grew older. Some good touches and chances created went to waste, but from a personal point of view it wasn’t too bad for Pogba.
Therefore, it’s strange for Spanish newspaper Marca to say he’s one of the players who let Manchester United down. Marca explain: ‘Ibrahimovic missed his chances, Pogba barely had influence and only had a shot from outside the area, and Rooney, who entered at the end and is no longer a starter, received grumbles from his own fans after several missed passes. A disaster.’
Unless Pogba was expected by Marca to get on the end of the chances he created himself, and play two positions, then the criticism doesn’t quite fit the match.
The general critique of Manchester United failing is of course fair, and Marca point out that this time last season Louis van Gaal’s men had 20 points, compared to 15 under Mourinho.
Another Spanish newspaper, AS, also feel that Pogba was a disappointment, but they say Mourinho’s men did ‘everything and more’ to try and get a goal against Burnley.
The men most pinpointed as putting in poor performances are Pogba and Ibrahimovic, and it’s stated the Swedish striker is the image of a team lacking confidence and direction.
Given the enemies Mourinho has built up over his career, there’s bound to be many quite happy that he’s currently facing struggles.
