Man United have fallen eight points behind Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title. Manchester United, traditionally, do not like to do business in January. It is expensive and disruptive. But in the face of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City juggernaut, it may be the only way Jose Mourinho can prevent his long-time rival from turning the title race into a procession. And that applies to this season, as well as next.
United are now playing catch up in more ways than one. It’s not just about chasing down the eight-point deficit that exists in the opening week of November – but ensuring Guardiola is not allowed to assert a dominance that could take years to overcome. Which is why Mourinho will push for United to be more active in the January transfer window than at any point in recent history? Three months into the season, the frailties he identified during the summer have come to prominence. Paul Pogba’s injury is a key reason for that. But United’s very reliance on the Frenchman is evidence of Mourinho’s need to strengthen further. Take Pogba out of the team and there is no-one to replace him.
In truth there are precious few players who can emulate the midfielder’s influence as both as a creative force and dominant figure from box to box. That’s why he was the most expensive player in history when United signed him from Juventus for £89m last year. But with or without him, a problem emerges. In Pogba, there is a player to try to stop – however difficult. A player to try to push to the fringes of the game. And if opponents are successful in snuffing him out, the question is who will provide the X factor instead? That is the situation Mourinho is faced with now. Games against Liverpool and Chelsea highlighted the issue.
Romelu Lukaku was isolated in the goalless draw at Anfield, while Marcus Rashford failed to make the most of United’s only genuine opening in defeat at Stamford Bridge. Tactically, Mourinho is unlikely to alter his approach in the biggest games away from home – sitting back and hoping to seize on the counter. The Frenchman was seen by Mourinho as the ideal forward to execute his game plan, having managed it so effectively for Diego Simeone. For all of the positives to United’s season so far – second in the table and on the brink of qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League – Mourinho does not have enough consistent game-changers. In Rashford and Anthony Martial he has players of immense potential – and in Lukaku a striker in need of service, rather than one who can create a chance from nothing. United do not have a match-winner in the form of a Griezmann, who has been fundamental to Atletico’s counter-attacking game, which has taken them to two of the last four Champions League finals.
Danny Rose, too, fits the model of the player Mourinho requires in games like Sunday’s against Chelsea. In the absence of a fit and in form Luke Shaw, United do not have a player on left to turn defence into attack like the Tottenham full back. They are relatively minor details – but they are making all the difference in Mourinho’s battle with Guardiola. And while he was largely satisfied with his summer business and still has a wealth of options within his squad, City’s superiority is showing – as is the building work they embarked upon even before Guardiola’s arrival.
