Is Mourinho Plotting Another Masterclass?

Jose Mourinho has proved at Manchester United that he is the master tactician and capable of springing a new system or positional tweak that can outfox even the wiliest of opponents.

The Reds approach Thursday's Manchester derby in great heart after extending the unbeaten Premier League run to 23 games and setting up a two-legged semi-final clash with Celta Vigo in the Europa League.
And the fans are in fine spirits too, buoyed by seeing the team embrace a busy schedule head on with the manager putting his pieces into place like a top chess player.

Against Chelsea, the decision to mark Eden Hazard with Ander Herrera and shadow Pedro with Matteo Darmian was an inspired move. The leaders were completely out-thought with Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford wreaking havoc in attack as the Blues were soundly beaten 2-0.

Although United needed extra-time to see off Anderlecht on the following Thursday, and lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo to serious knee injuries in the process, the boss was still able to organise his troops to pull off a comfortable win at Burnley soon afterwards.

The Clarets have been a force at Turf Moor but were undone by first-half goals from the recalled Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney. However, if their impact was decisive, it was the selection of Marouane Fellaini in a withdrawn midfield role that was also crucial in gaining the upper hand.

Noting that Sean Dyche's side liked to attack with long balls towards their strikers, the Belgian's presence nullified this tactic - he won 12 aerial duels in total and stopped Burnley building any real momentum. In both league games (against Chelsea and Burnley), the opposition failed to muster a single shot on target - testament to the effectiveness in the way United are defending as a team.

Such tactical masterstrokes have long been Mourinho's hallmark and his nous spreads great confidence that no task is beyond any line-up he chooses. Even if the schedule is an exhausting one, there may be the hope City's extra-time defeat to Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup semi-final at Wembley took something out of Pep Guardiola's side. Admittedly, this is only the second Premier League match this year where our opponents played their previous fixture closer to kick-off time than United did, and City's overall programme has been less demanding, but it may aid the Reds' cause in a small way.

That said, United would have no time to bask in any glorious derby-day triumph with a noon start to follow against Swansea City at Old Trafford on Sunday. There is certainly no let-up but a belief is growing that Mourinho's United is already starting to take shape by acquiring the mentality required to pull off positive results in the biggest games.

Even if the clash with Liverpool at Anfield came early in his tenure, the boss still had the expertise to orchestrate a solid away display that stopped an in-form, free-flowing team chasing a fifth successive win, in its tracks. The Merseysiders were largely subdued and, even if David De Gea did pull off two good saves, Ibrahimovic could have won it with a headed opportunity for United.

Two fixtures later, the concession of a first-minute goal at Chelsea presumably blew any game plan but, ahead of the most challenging of domestic trips to the Etihad Stadium, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and Tottenham's White Hart Lane, there is every reason to believe Mourinho can implement another strategy that can surprise the home sides.

Football fans and pundits alike appreciate seeing a great mind at work, coming up with solutions to produce results in key fixtures. It has been refreshing to read such analysis of formations and tactics of late, as opposed to wild transfer stories that still tend to dominate in some media outlets, despite their untimely nature during a spell when what happens on the field is even more important than ever.

We're at the business end of the campaign and Jose's not only got us playing the way United should. It's also a way we knew Jose was always capable of playing when the stakes are at their highest. Starting with the derby, let's hope for more of the same. 

The views expressed in this article are personal to the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Manchester United.

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