Hahaha love that video.
See I am torn, I don't like Mourinho and I think alot of this falls in his court but he is 400% right on Pogba. Bar maybe a few games at the start of last season Pogba has been dreadful for United and people harking to France form means nothing, Man United and Mourinho don't pay him for France form
It's a really interesting one, Man United. I don't think Ed Woodward is as bad as is made out. I think when he first got the job, running after Galacticos and ending up with Fellaini when the squad was threadbare was terrible, but I think now he's gotten his feet under the table he's clearer about their strategy.
He wanted to get LVG out because he needed someone to guarantee trophies and consistency, and Jose seemed like a sure bet. Jose was also a big name and a big ego who has worked at the biggest clubs and could manage the big players that Woodward would sign - because he wants his social media hits.
The problem is, Jose is no longer that guy. I think he had a style that was great for 10 years ago, when the players seemed to love him. But either the players have changed or he has. Either way, it doesn't look like the right fit. Ozil may have thought it was some revolutionary man management to get dressed down infront of the entire team, as if it gave him the kick he needed. And maybe Luke Shaw is now tougher for the tough love he has received, but there is barely a single player at United playing with any consistency, or anything close to their potential. Martial has been alienated. Pogba has been alienated. Sanchez was just needless and disrupted the squad harmony...but at least he got them some social media hits.
It's great for us, but United is not a club pulling in the same direction. Woodward is trying to balance being the world's most commercially successful club, with signings like Sanchez and Pogba, while now seemingly trying to pivot into signing younger players that have some good years ahead of them. He wants to keep Martial. He'll probably try and keep Pogba. Both players probably think they can outlast Jose, who neither has a style of football or a management style that seems to suit a top club with attacking traditions anymore.
I'm not sure what the answer is for them. I think Poch is almost the perfect manager for them but it's just not a good job for him - there's too much transition required, and too many commercial considerations that take away from the footballing effort, the team building. Maybe Tuchel is a good bet for them at the end of the season. Maybe someone like Ancelotti. It's just a really interesting one, it needs someone with a big enough ego to manage that club, that carries enough weight with the players, that can balance both the commercial side with the footballing side and not have it detract from his mission. I feel like I'm describing Zidane, but I don't think he'd want it either.
I think they and Jose are stuck with each other - I can't see who is a guaranteed better choice who would also want the job. I almost think they'd be in better shape if they stuck with LVG - the only problem is his football was seen as dull. But he had the ego, he could manage big players but he'd bring through the youth too.
As an aside, I love the leaks that come out from the club. A few weeks ago when they were trying to convince everyone that Jose and Woodward were getting on fine because Jose sends him texts saying 'kisses to the twins'. Utterly hilarious.