Jose Mourinho, who managed Manchester United from 2016 to 2018, openly acknowledged his failure to address the underlying issues and remove disruptive elements within the squad.
Despite securing victories in the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League in his first season, Mourinho’s attempts to guide United back to Premier League glory were marred by challenges, leading to his dismissal in December 2018.
Struggles in House Cleaning and Squad Dynamics
In an interview with former United defender Rio Ferdinand, Mourinho used the metaphor of ‘cleaning the house’ to describe his efforts to rectify internal issues at the club.
He emphasized that his focus was on addressing existing problems rather than making new signings.
Despite his intentions, Mourinho admitted that the desired restructuring did not materialize as expected, citing various reasons that hindered the process.
Challenges in Player Profiles and Deep-Rooted Problems
Mourinho clarified that by the third season, he had a clear understanding of the players and profiles he did not want in the squad.
However, he expressed frustration at the inability to execute the necessary changes.
While not specifying particular demands for the third season, he emphasized his awareness of the deep-seated issues, acknowledging that addressing them proved challenging.
Manifestation of Issues in the Third Season
During the 2017-18 season, United finished second to Manchester City, trailing by a significant 19 points.
Mourinho humorously mentioned the possibility of City facing a points deduction due to Financial Fair Play breaches, potentially altering the title race.
Despite the challenges faced, Mourinho asserted that he did his best in navigating the complexities of the situation.
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