Jose Mourinho has endured a mixed start to life as Manchester United boss. Currently still sitting in 6th position, the Old Trafford faithful would have undoubtedly preferred to be closer to challenging for the league title than they are.
They have improved massively over the last month. Had their patchy results continued, they’d have been cut well adrift of the Champions League positions due to the fantastic form of those above them.
To his credit, Mourinho has started to answer many of the questions from critics in recent weeks. He has Paul Pogba playing to the best of his ability, he’s sparked a resurgence in the performances of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and he continues to get the very best out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
It was perhaps unfair in hindsight to think that Mourinho could come in and transform United off the bat. But what are the areas United must improve on?
Here are THREE things the Red Devils must do to have a more successful 2017…
Find more consistency
Before December, Man United had won three competitive games just once in the season. Their campaign has been littered with sloppy dropped points, frustrating draws and the occasional defeat.
If they can find the consistency that United teams are famous for, they’ll go on to become a force again in the Premier League. Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City have all strung together spells where they’ve won many games in a row.
Mourinho can’t afford many slip-ups in 2017 if they’re to get to where they want to be- back in the Champions League.
Get the best out of Bailly and Jones
For a time this season, Eric Bailly was one of the only United players that looked like capable of reaching top form on a consistent basis for the Red Devils. Since his injury, Phil Jones has stepped up to the plate and been the leading force in that United backline.
Bailly has since returned but wasn’t up to full fitness and limped off against Crystal Palace recently.
Marcos Rojo has looked capable in recent weeks but has had some rash moments and we’re not sure he’s the answer long-term for United.
If Mourinho can get the the Jones/Bailly partnership up and running properly, with both in good form together, United are going to be a much more formidable outfit.
Spend big in January
All of Jose Mourinho’s summer signings have made an impact on this United team, evidence enough that the Portuguese manager should be given another big budget in January to continue his revolution.
Where would United be without the likes of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
If United can add quality to defensive areas and some creative ability to the final third, they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.
Some competition for Ibrahimovic wouldn’t go amiss either. If he gets injured or falls out of form, they don’t really have a goalscorer ready to come in and hit the ground running.
The battles off the park in January may be even more important than on it for United’s long-term future.
