These are strange times at Manchester United.
Morale among supporters is on the floor after Friday’s unacceptable 1-0 reversal at Brighton & Hove Albion. This is despite a highest Premier League-finish in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson vacuum of second still being virtually assured, plus entrance also earned for this month’s FA Cup final.
Apathetic losses have been accrued against all three promoted sides for the first time since 1989/90. Yet, the Red Devils have defeated – in stirring circumstances – Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in the top flight since February, plus came from behind to down Tottenham at Wembley and reach May 19’s showpiece.
United have the joint-second best home record of 14 wins from 18 matches, compared to a damaging eight in 2016/17. On the road in 2017/18, their five defeats is one more than Burnley.
A player of Belgium centre midfielder Marouane Fellaini’s agricultural ability appears to be holding the sport’s richest club to ransom about a new deal. At the same juncture, enigmatic talents such as Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial remain riddles manager Jose Mourinho appears incapable at best, reluctant at worse, to solve.
France midfielder Pogba’s pass accuracy of 82.8 per cent was the worst for any visiting outfield player at The Amex – including the egregious Fellaini. Countryman Martial was dispossessed a leading four times from his favoured left wing and barely burst into a sprint.
‘The Special One’ has delivered the grandest prizes during the fabled second season at all his previous postings. But this run has been ended by a combination of internal shortcomings at Old Trafford and Manchester City’s external burst into life under Pep Guardiola.
United’s defensive record is the second best in the Premier League, with just 28 goals conceded in 36 run-outs. But sublime Spain goalkeeper David De Gea has faced the fifth most shots on target.
They have scored the joint-fourth most times with 67. However, a star-studded and expensively assembled attack continues to lack any discernible direction.
It is impossible to predict Mourinho’s first-choice XI or even a preferred formation.
Another summer of significant investment is a given. How this cash will be spent is a mystery, with no obvious targets being repeated in the British or international media.
It was supposed to feature at least two centre midfielders. This is before the games with Fellaini’s entourage took a fresh twist after his last-gasp winning header against Arsenal last Sunday.
These are just some of the contradictions which are being forced on an expectant fan base yearning for the predictability of Ferguson’s epoch-defining reign.
Consistency should have been the minimum output by now from a manager of Mourinho’s standing and success. With the two-year mark swiftly approaching, his team’s identity appears frustratingly intangible.
Some semblance of normality has to be implemented in this, defining, summer to come.
Clarity of vision is the core principal that underpins the genius of bete noire, Guardiola. Beyond even the unprecedented largesse of his Abu Dhabi owners that make this technicolour vision come to life in stirring fashion.
Players strictly operate in specific areas of the pitch. Rules of how they will use the ball in these zones are drilled ad infinitum until enlightened performers repeat them as second nature.
With the correct personnel, electric football and historic results follow. Imprints at colossi such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona are not easily made.
Mourinho has appeared frustratingly incapable of achieving this across town.
This was not a problem at Porto, Chelsea (twice), Inter Milan or Real Madrid. The Portuguese has created a Gordian knot at the Theatre of Dreams. He will not merit a fourth chance to unpick it if 2018/19 goes the same, exasperating way.