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Why would Mauricio Pochettino leave Tottenham?

Frankly, he’d be mad to exit White Hart Lane now. At the end of this current campaign, his team will probably end up as runners-up in a season that they would otherwise have won the league. The way this year has gone, without Leicester being the force they’ve been, it would have fallen to Spurs to lift the title and to put the top clubs’ noses out of joint.

Pochettino, it has to be said, has done a superb job since his arrival in May 2014. After unexpectedly helping Southampton equal their greatest ever Premier League finish of eighth, while also surpassing their highest ever points tally in the process in his first season, all eyes suddenly turned to the Argentine.

Now at Spurs, the head coach is still winning a host of admirers, including some in the hallowed corridors at Manchester United. But the club are confident he will stay to work on the project he has started.

With Champions League qualification almost guaranteed, plus the prospect of moving into a new stadium along with one of the country’s best academy set-ups, Tottenham believe they’re currently a more attractive proposition than United.

Asked if it would be difficult to leave Tottenham, the Argentine replied: “Yes because I think you build a new stadium, you start to build the relationship – emotional relationships.

“We are a team of people, the money is not the only important thing. The emotional link you create with the people here is important, and sometimes it is difficult to take some decisions. It happened with me at Southampton too – it was difficult to take the decision to come here.”

Pochettino doesn’t have an agent when it comes to contracts either. “The best agent for me is myself,” he said. “I negotiate for me and for my people. I fight more for them than myself.

Manchester United and Chelsea have both been mentioned in the past. Chelsea have now confirmed Antonio Conte as their new coach for next season, but the Man United situation is far from clear. In Spain, Pochettino’s name has been linked with Real Madrid and of course, the Spurs coach knows La Liga well.

However, when you consider the future at Tottenham, why would he want to give up this job now that the wheels are in motion?

In the Telegraph recently, when asked about signing a new deal at Tottenham, Poch said: “Yes, why not? But I signed a five-year contract and there are still three years and three months. I think Tottenham today is in a very good place. We have great facilities, our supporters are fantastic, why find another place? For the players, I think they feel at home here. I think me too. The same.”

However, unless Pochettino receives the reassurances he wants, there is always that slight chance that the popular Argentine could still walk away. Some reports claim the 44-year-old will only stay at Tottenham if he receives assurances from Spurs chairman Daniel Levy that key players like Harry Kane and Dele Alli will not be sold. Spurs have sold star names in the past – Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick – but Pochettino has questioned why any of his current group would want to leave.

In reality, why would Poch want to leave? He’s building a dynasty or leaving a legacy, as the coach puts it. The youth production line has never looked healthier, the club are second in the Premier League, the future looks bright and he has a big say in the club’s direction. Going to another team would mean starting all over again, and it may happen that he doesn’t get the same control that he enjoys in north London wherever he goes next.

Jobs like Real Madrid and Barcelona are going to be the future for Pochettino, but not right now. He is good enough and his destiny is surely La Liga once again and a top job at a top club abroad.

For the moment, Spurs fans can relax because their head coach isn’t going anywhere.

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He’s one of the players of his generation. The stats tell you that, and so does everything else – his peers, pundits, journalists and your very own eyes. You might even argue that there are only two current players on a higher plane than Manchester City’s Sergio Kun Aguero.

In fact, the first thing that jumps out when you see a stat like that isn’t so much how good Aguero is – because you knew that already – but actually just how good Shearer was. And you knew that already, too. The greatness of neither is in doubt, but it shows how highly we regard Aguero, despite his omission from every PFA team of the year, ever.

Watching Manchester City over the last few seasons has proven as much – without Aguero, City are not the same force; with him they are often unstoppable.

And City will require his talismanic presence when they face Real Madrid in what is now the last ambitious challenge facing Manuel Pellegrini as City manager.

Madrid, have their own goalscoring machine. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most prolific finishers in footballing history, a goalscoring machine that runs on goals themselves, like some sort of perfectly-oiled perfectly-efficient perpetual motion engine. One possessing of a winning smile and the wink of a man with hundreds of millions in his bank account and GI Joe style block of abs. He is as frightening as he is super-human.

His record at Madrid is magical, almost unreal. In 234 Liga games, he’s scored 256 goals. It’s one thing to score at a rate of more than a goal a game, but to go quite so far over that rate for quite so long is beyond sensational. To celebrate your 300th goal before you celebrate your 300th appearance looks like a statistical mistake rather than a sensational feat.

Ronaldo has only scored fewer than 50 goals per season once in his Madrid career – that was his first season at the Bernabeu, when he scored a ‘mere’ 33 goals. But then again, he only played in 35 games in all competitions. In his second season he managed 53 in 54 games. Since then, he’s gone well over the rate of a goal per game.

Aguero has never gone beyond that magical rate of a goal per game.

Yet, Ronaldo’s stats don’t simply start in the season he joined Real Madrid. He played for Manchester United, too, and won the Ballon d’Or there in 2008. At United, he never got to 100 league goals yet played in almost 200 league games.

This suggests a number of things. Superficially it might point to the differences in the leagues, suggesting that perhaps it’s easier to score at a super-human rate in La Liga than it is in England. Also superficially, it might point to the quality of players these two marksmen have around them, suggesting it’s easier to score when surrounded by better players or against lesser opposition.

But whilst all of these are true, it should also point out once again the danger of comparing football players for any reason other than trying to understand a game involving the two.

Before Ronaldo, football wasn’t really measured in individual awards. Prima Donnas existed, great goalscorers were cherished, but it’s worth remembering that the two players usually held up as the best the game has ever seen never won ‘Ballons d’Or’. The Ballon d’Or was an award specifically for European players and Alfredo di Stefano. Instead, the best players were just the best players. If they scored bags of goals, great. But it’s whether or not they won games for their teams and made the players around them better.

‘Modern football’ – the stock phrase that we like to use before we have a go at the state of our beloved game, the phrase we use before we go full-on angry pensioner and talk about how the game ‘used to be’ – is decried daily, and a lot of the moans are unfair. This one, I believe, is a real travesty of ‘modern football’. This one means we now measure our greats in terms of goals scored.

Football has always had an attacking bias. Only four defenders have won the Ballon d’Or and one goalkeeper, Lev Yashin, who France Football confirm would not have been given his award if Pele had been eligible in 1963. Yet that attacking bias will only get worse if we start to compare players, and specifically if we start to negatively compare team-players with goalscorers.

Will Sergio Aguero be remembered as a great? Of course he will. He’s a goalscorer whose record will be up there with the best. But if he’d spent his career in La Liga, possibly moved to Real Madrid or Barcelona, would he have been cherished as one of the greatest ever to play the game? Has the Premier League given him some sort of glass ceiling? Would Aguero be better off foregoing the injuries, the physical demands and the hard-as-nails defenders of England?

Maybe we should just take every player on their merits and stop deciding who is the greatest.

#AgainstModernFootball

EURO 2016 is coming up on us fast. The tournament in France kicks off on June 10th as the hosts face Romania in the curtain raiser.

The tournament has, for the first time in it’s history, 24 teams competing in the finals for the trophy and this means more of the continent’s finest footballers are set to take centre stage.

The expanded format has allowed the likes of Wales, Northern Ireland, Hungary, Iceland, Austria and Albania to have a crack at some of the most established nations, whereas beforehand they wouldn’t have been able to.

It promises to be an exciting month of football as Spain look to defend the title they won so emphatically against Italy four years ago, but face competition from France, Germany and Belgium predominantly for the title.

Meanwhile, England enter a new era of international football with a young exciting side that will hopefully ruffle a few international feathers as we enter 50 years since the World Cup triumph.

There’s plenty to look forward to then. No matter which side you follow or even if you don’t there’s set to be entertainment and here at FootballFanCast we think this TEN will be the headline acts…

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Dele Alli

Alli has undergone a meteoric rise for Spurs this year. The midfielder was plying his trade in League 1 for MK Dons only twelve months ago but looking at his performances at White Hart Lane this season you’d think he’d been playing in the top flight for years. He can pass, shoot, win the ball and has the competitive streak needed at this level. If he keeps his cool in England’s midfield this summer he could be the Three Lions leading man.

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Antoine Griezmann

France have an impressive array of attacking talent. Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman will be important for Les Bleus, but Griezmann is the main attraction. The Atletico forward has evolved from a left winger into a second striker dropping deep and has been devastatingly good. 32 goals in all competitions underline his threat, taking Atleti to the Champions League final in the process and if he can replicate this at the EUROs the French may have a final of their own come July.

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William Carvalho

Think Portgual, think Cristiano Ronaldo has been the thought process for a number of years. Arguably, this has been fair in recent times too but EURO 2016 could be the moment the rest of the Portuguese national side make a name for themselves. The Portuguese have a young exciting team and Carvalho is the epitome of this in Portugal’s holding role – he could be the key for the team looking to go one better than the EURO 2004 side.

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Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale’s quality is undeniable but it’s what he does with his Welsh team that could define his legacy. If he can help get Wales out of the group – and looking at it there’s no reason why they shouldn’t – then the Welsh could become a side no one wants to face. Wales will be fast on the counter and carry that surprise factor with not being in an international tournament since 1958 and if Bale can hit top form there’s no knowing how far they could go.

Robert Lewandowski

Another player with incredible talent, Lewandowski and his Poland team could be this tournament’s dark horses. Lewandowski has been in ridiculously good form for Bayern this season, he once scored five goals in nine incredible minutes, ensuring no defender at the tournament will want to face him if they can help it. 13 goals in ten qualifying games shows he has the international pedigree, too, and if his team-mates give him the service the former Dortmund man could be the top scorer in France.

Alen Halilovic

The young Croatian has a lot expected of him at Barcelona and if he can showcase his talent on one of the biggest stages this summer, he could be in the Catalans’ first team sooner rather than later. Halilovic has been on loan at Sporting Gijon, providing five goals and five assists in 37 appearances, underlining his potential and could be the one to watch for a Croatia side that boasts Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic, which says a lot.

Koke

Spain still have an incredible squad but are arguably looking for new heroes with the likes of Xavi, Carlos Puyol and David Villa off the international scene and they could come in the shape of Koke of Atletico Madrid. Five goals and an impressive 17 assists for Atleti have seen the midfielder become one of the most coveted in Europe and if the Spaniards do defend their crown, Koke will be right at the heart of it.

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Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne has begun to affirm himself as one of the best in the Premier League. Manchester City look a completely different proposition with him in the team and his injury lay off was part of the reason their title challenge faltered. If De Bruyne can bring this form into the Belgian set up he could guide his team to glory looking at the players around him allowing him to become one of the best in his position in Europe.

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Renato Sanches

Sanches is another member of the exciting young Portuguese side that could go far this summer. The young midfielder secured a move to Bayern Munich earlier this month from Benfica and so evidently big things are expected from the teenager. If he and his national team are not overawed by the prospect of the continent’s finest they could surprise quite a few teams and a favourable draw for the groups means the young side should be able to build some confidence.

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David Alaba

Alaba is the one to pick out of an Austria side that shouldn’t be underestimated. The Austrians only made EURO 2008 by virtue of being tournament hosts and have largely been missing from recent international tournaments, but an undefeated qualifying campaign has indicated better things to come. With Alaba leading the charge with his incredible left foot there’s no reason for them to fear anyone.

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The summer transfer window is a strange time for Arsenal fans.

It seems that most transfer rumours that crop up from different sources all include a player heading to or departing from the Emirates.

Yet, on September 1st, the Gunners faithful are continually left disappointed and bemused after the club sign only one or two players and fail to address major weaknesses in the squad.

However, with both Manchester clubs set for a major overhaul, rivals Tottenham looking stronger than ever and a Chelsea side ready to prove their doubters wrong, Arsenal need to make some moves this summer, or risk falling behind the aforementioned clubs.

Here are three players who could be heading to Arsenal, along with three potentially heading for the exit doors…

IN – Alvaro Morata

The long running transfer rumour that just won’t go away, Alvero Morata’s future is still up in the air and yet more reports are linking the Spaniard with a move to Arsenal, especially after Jamie Vardy rejected the Gunners.

Arsenal though, will have to wait until Real Madrid activate a buy-back clause in his Juventus contract, something they are expected to do when he arrives home from the European Championships.

OUT – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could well be yet another member of the English exodus at Arsenal.

Once again, the 22-year-old has done very little wrong and his lack of playing time is simply down to injuries and the overwhelming selection of attacking midfielders at Arsene Wenger’s disposal.

At such a young age, Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a fantastic signing for anyone wishing to stump up around £25million. Manchester City, West Ham and Southampton are all rumoured to be interested.

IN – Riyad Mahrez

Voted the best player in the Premier League by the PFA in 2015/16, the reputation of Riyad Mahrez has gone from Algerian also-ran to global superstar in just 12 months.

After missing out on Jamie Vardy, Arsenal are expected to launch another attack on Leicester in the pursuit of Mahrez.

However, with the Foxes in rush to sell, the Gunners will have to battle hard to get their man.

OUT – Theo Walcott

Watching Theo Walcott’s once promising career plummet into mediocrity season after season is uncomfortable to watch, not least for Arsenal fans who held so much hope for the 27-year-old.

The Englishman simply is not getting the playing time or positioning he desires at the Emirates and reports suggest that a move to a new club is edging closer and closer.

IN – Ezequiel Garay

Fresh rumours have surfaced indicating that Arsenal are leading the race to sign Zenit centre-half Ezequiel Garay.

The 29-year-old reportedly wants out of Russia after two years and with the centre of defence, a key area to address for Arsene Wenger this summer, Garay could be a perfect fit.

OUT – Kieron Gibbs

While Kieron Gibbs has done very little to deserve drifting down the pecking order at the Emirates, it is simply the excellent performances of Nacho Monreal at left-back that have stifled the 26-year-old’s career somewhat.

With rumours that Arsene Wenger is keen on signing Ricardo Rodriguez from Wolfsburg, another left-back, Gibbs’ time at the club he has been with for 12 years, could be coming to an end.

According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal are in talks with Werder Bremen over a permanent transfer deal for winger Serge Gnabry.Injuries have limited the powerful wide-man’s development in north London since making his Gunners debut in September 2012.WANT MORE? >> Arsenal Transfer News | Latest Transfer NewsBut the German youngster was in phenomenal form for his country at the Olympics in Rio this summer, netting six times in six appearances as Die MannschaftÂclaimed a silver medal.It had been suggestedÂBayern Munich were targeting the 21-year-old with the view to loaning him out to Werder Bremen for the season.ButÂBremen sporting director Frank Baumann clarified the situation yesterday, claiming the Bundesliga championsÂwould be no part of the deal.As quoted by Mirror Football, he said; “Serge Gnabry would like to play with us and talks with Arsenal are going well. FC Bayern have no influence on a potential transfer.”We’ve agreed terms with the player and we’re confident that the transfer will go ahead. We were interested in the player four years ago but unfortunately it didn’t work out back then.”We have reached an agreement with Arsenal but nothing has been finalised as of yet. [However] the transfer could be confirmed tomorrow morning.”And it appears Sky Sports have now corroborated, by announcing the talks as ‘breaking news’ earlier this morning.

Here’s a look at Gnabry in action for Germany at the summer’s Olympic Games:

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It all started off perfectly for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United after his side won the Community Shield against Leicester. The Red Devils then kicked off the campaign for real with easy wins against Bournemouth and Southampton. Add to that a classic ‘United’ style victory away at Hull thanks to a last minute goal, and optimism was plentiful heading into the Manchester Derby.

With Sergio Aguero out through suspension, it was arguably United’s game for the taking, but they didn’t turn up until just before half-time and even with Claudio Bravo’s erratic display in goal for City they left themselves too much to do to overturn a deficit. Man City got the bragging rights that day and Pep Guardiola got the better of his arch nemesis once again.

A derby day defeat can hurt but you would have imagined that they would bounce back in the best possible way with wins on both domestic and European fronts. But with defeats to Feyenoord and Watford – marking the first time Mourinho has lost three matches since his time in charge at Porto – every football fan is now debating the happenings at Old Trafford.

I was certainly not alone when I picked Manchester United as my favourites to win the title after the fantastic summer they had. The early arrival of Mourinho set the tone and with the addition of ‘Mr-I-win-the-league-wherever-I-go, or Zlatan Ibrahimovic if you prefer, it looked like something special was going on in the red half of Manchester.

Fantastic players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly and of course Paul Pogba were then added and there must have been shivers down the backs of Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool fans when they saw what they were up to. But Pogba is nowhere near living up to the expectations of his world-record transfer fee player, and United fans will almost be wishing that the club could get a refund!

Not only that, the centre-back area once again seems to be an issue. The Bailly and Daley Blind partnership was never going to be a permanent fix but even with the return of Chris Smalling against Watford it was a torrid afternoon, and it made United fans yearn for the halcyon days of partnerships such as Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister

Obviously, United’s chances of winning the title are not over but they have already given up six points to Man City and this is in a season where you can’t even see Guardiola’s side dropping too many points. Also rivals Chelsea and Liverpool looked more balanced and more importantly better suited to having a tilt at the title.

My biggest concern is whether Wayne Rooney or Mourinho has the more saying in the dressing room and around Carrington. If Rooney is untouchable I can’t see the end of the crisis, but as soon as he’s dropped there should be chances for others to step in and a better team to develop. What really is going on behind the scenes? Is there really a stipulation in his contract that he must play at Old Trafford? I can’t think of any other reason as to why he continues to play when it’s to the detriment of the team’s natural balance.

The thing that Mourinho needs to work out, and work out quickly, is what is his best line-up and not one where has to shoehorn all of his talents in. He almost has a situation where he has three players who must play – Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Rooney – but only two can really be accommodated at any one time. Tough decisions need to be made, but will Mourinho make them or will he continue to try and fit round pegs in square holes? Only time will tell.

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Much criticism was laid at Manchester City’s doorstep when Pep Guardiola decided against giving Joe Hart the number one shirt in theory this summer. England and Manchester City’s number one for the best part of a decade, Guardiola decided against making Hart his first choice goalkeeper and made a big-money move for Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

“I am here to take decisions. I make a lot of mistakes. Some good and some bad but I try to be honest,” said Guardiola when he was questioned regarding the sale of Joe Hart. But why was Pep so keen to remove Hart and replace him with Claudio Bravo? There are a number of reasons.

Hart was undoubtedly a fan’s favourite at Manchester City, the majority of whom were critical of Guardiola’s decision to axe to the keeper. Whilst Guardiola courageously took the choice to make a move for Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, it was met by a number of sceptics who doubted the Spaniards decision. His fearlessness to confirm the Chile international as his number one is already paying dividend to City this season.

Under former manager Manuel Pellegrini, City struggled to adapt in unusual situations with the style of football and identity within the side clearly lacking. With Guardiola in charge City have become a reflection of Guardiola’s Barcelona team that famously started their attacking threat from the back. Along with Manuel Neuer, Claudio Bravo has regenerated goalkeeping as we know it with the “sweeper-keeper” style ever present around us.

For a goalkeeper to hold an 86% pass completion rate with a minimum of ten touches per game, questions have to be raised towards Bravo’s style of play – a style that is absolutely perfect for Pep’s City and their style of approach to games. In comparison to Joe Hart, one of the biggest criticisms heaped upon the Englishman was his ability to distribute the ball swiftly and efficiently long before talk of Guardiola coming to City first took place. His ever-lasting desire to punt the ball further forward and allow opposition the chance to quickly gain position and catch City on the counter-attack.

Regularly Hart’s attempts would end up in the stands which may benefit managers such as Tony Pulis and David Moyes, however under Guardiola the one cardinal sin would be to effortlessly provide the opposition with the ball on a regular basis. Guardiola also allows his goalkeepers to play as an extra outfield player which would see many fans watching from behind their fingers. Bravo’s positioning allows his team to press higher in the oppositions half, and that sort of contribution cannot be discounted.

Overall as goalkeeper, can anyone really claim Joe Hart is  superior in ability to his Chilean counterpart? Bravo’s composure and professionalism throughout his career has catapulted him to the top of the European game. Like a fine wine, Bravo has gone from strength to strength and many eyebrows were raised when Barcelona came calling in 2014 after a number of years at Real Sociedad. In comparison, they say hangovers get worse with age and the older Hart gets, the weaker his weaknesses seem to become. Hart’s biggest flaw was undeniably his left-hand side.  For anyone doubting, rewind as an England fan to Euro 2016 and notice how many of the goals England conceded were scored at Hart’s left.

It wasn’t just the poor national team form, Hart’s form at City has been questionable since the beginning of 2016. It’s certainly not he first time he’s hit a career stumbling block as his form in 2013 saw Manuel Pellegrini drop England’s number one for two months.

That decision brought a lot of question marks towards Pellegrini but was he really wrong? Unlike Hart, Bravo made the number one shirt his own at European football’s biggest club and quickly gained many admirers for his ability, his shot stopping, his leadership. Above all the one criticism laid at Bravo’s door was his ability under crosses.

Not only this, but the opportunity of a fresh challenge presented itself to Bravo who had won all he could in Spain and opted to broaden his horizons. A Champions League winner, La Liga winner and Copa del Rey winner, Bravo had achieved all he could at Barcelona and Guardiola’s phone-call was enough of persuasion to convince him to take Joe Hart’s place.

Regarding Hart, the 29-year old has broken all records before him at City including success in title winning campaigns to add to previous success in domestic competitions. What else could either man achieve at their respective clubs? Signing Bravo was not just a replacement of Hart, it was a freshness within the squad that became complacent and far too comfortable when the club’s ambitions remain world domination on a footballing term.

Many will continue to agree with the minority that Hart’s dismissal was the wrong decision by Guardiola who should have kept his core of English talent and the nucleus to this Manchester City side. However, people should know by now that Guardiola doesn’t choose players on reputations and despite Hart’s successful ten seasons at City, he doesn’t fear a media backlash if he feels the decision is the right one for the team’s overall success. Guardiola has been ruthless at City in just a few months, just ask Yaya Toure, but his decision to replace Joe Hart with Claudio Bravo was fundamentally the right decision for a number of reasons as shown.

The efficiency with which penalties are scored is often overestimated. However, the general rate with which they are converted is far higher than Manchester City have been able to muster in an admittedly minute sample size so far this season.

Having scored only four of the eight they have been awarded, Manchester City have managed to find a problem with one of the theoretically simplest parts of the game of football. Pep Guardiola’s tactical genius cannot really allow for missing from 12 yards, particularly when it is one of the best strikers in the world who has had the majority of the difficulties.

Penalties, due to the impression people have of them, are often excluded from statistics. They are a skill in themselves, though. There is a reason Frank Lampard and Alan Shearer were excellent penalty takers and there are reasons that others never convince from the spot. Without delving into the mentality, technique and training of said players, it is tricky to make a particularly reliable judgement. Sergio Aguero is one of the world’s best footballers and a lethal finisher in open play, his penalty difficulties this season may seem minor at the moment, but they can easily become a more fundamental problem for Manchester City.

For all their fascinating play, superb interchanging and pinpoint passing, even City cannot afford to be giving up chances as good as a spot kick. If it’s viewed as ‘just another chance’ then that is a problem. It is not just another chance, it is a gift in many cases. And due to their style of play and excellent dribblers, City are always going to win considerably more than their fair share of penalties. It is a natural consequence of possession in the opposition’s final third and having an enormous number of touches in their box.

Missed penalties leading to an early season draw against Everton can be accepted. Should spot kick woes continue, though. it will potentially have a far greater impact on their season. In a game with Barcelona, missing a penalty kick – or even several – will not be quite so insignificant.

What if their last minute chance to sneak into the Champions League final happens to be a 12 yard gimme and they have no faith in anyone to slot it home?

For a currently minor issue, this could quickly become a notable question around Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side. While the sample size is so small we can write it off as a freak, as a complete coincidence. Should it continue, however, questions will quickly be asked about how a squad full of players with such exceptional technique can cost themselves when given the simplest of chances.

Manchester United have had an indifferent start to their Premier League campaign.

After winning their first three games, a lot was expected of the Red Devils, but they have since lost three and drawn three and sit in sixth place.

Jose Mourinho has challenged his players to be brave, stand up and be counted. Recently he criticised those who chose not to play through the pain barrier and he’s clearly requesting his troops fight for the shirt.

That’s exactly what the fans want, too.

However, despite challenging his squad, there is still a lot of work his side need to do after the international break.

The Portuguese boss doesn’t seem to know his best XI and the Man United XI could do with settling down.

Additionally, they haven’t yet got the best out of their superstar summer signings, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, so they need to make sure that they find a way to fit them into the team.

So, here are THREE things Man United must do after the international break…

Rotate less often

Mourinho hasn’t settled on a first XI yet and consistently rotates his squad for Europa League and Premier League matches.

Defensively, the Red Devils have struggled with injuries but they haven’t had a settled back four all season. Whilst it started with Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly at centre-back, we’re now seeing Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones featuring, whilst Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind have replaced Luke Shaw and the injured Antonio Valencia at full-back

In terms of the midfield, Mourinho appears undecided about his defensive duo, as we’ve seen Michael Carrick, Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Blind and Marouane Fellaini all feature there, whilst up top, he also doesn’t seem to know his favourite threesome.

Find Pogba’s best role

In the summer, Man United made Paul Pogba the most expensive footballer in history, purchasing him from Juventus for close to £90m.

However, we’re still to see the best from the Frenchman who has netted a couple of crackers and shown flashes of brilliance, but has been otherwise unspectacular.

He has been switched from a central defensive midfield role to a place in the centre of the attacking midfield trio.

If United are to improve after the international break then Pogba must start on the left of the central midfield on a consistent basis.

Keep Ibra central

If United are to succeed this season they need to get the best out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swedish legend has just ended his six-game drought after netting twice away at Swansea but things weren’t looking good for the 35-year-old in October.

He was struggling for goals and even his normally fantastic first touch was going array.

After United’s embarrassing 4-0 defeat away at Chelsea, ‘Ibra’ was pummelled on social media for smiling whilst swapping shirts with the Blues players.

He has also been running down the channels to receive the ball, which is a waste of his ability as he doesn’t have the pace to do that.

Instead, he needs to focus on staying central and receiving the ball to feet or to his head and then United’s form and results might pick up.

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Southampton are known for breeding talented British footballers, with Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Adam Lallana among them.

Sam McQueen has the potential to add his name to that list after breaking into the first team this year.

The 21-year-old has versatility on his side given that he can play as a left-back and a left-sided winger, and he has chosen to continue his development at St Mary’s after signing a new contract until 2021.

In November, reports in The Mirror stated that Liverpool were tracking the Englishman with a view to signing him in the summer when his old contract was due to expire.

However, McQueen, who has made 10 appearances under manager Claude Puel in all competitions this season, has not been lured by the Merseyside outfit and has instead decided to commit his future to the Saints.

In recent seasons, the Hampshire-based club have sold a number of their top players, including Lallana, Luke Shaw, Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama to Premier League rivals, so it is a welcome boost to the fans to have McQueen stay committed.

Supporters took to Twitter to express their joy at Southampton tying down one of their own.

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