Jose driven to frustration
JOSE Mourinho got the desire from his players but not the quality as Manchester United’s winless run stretched to four games.
There was no doubting the effort but frustrated United could not find the finishing touch as they were held to a Champions League goalless draw at Old Trafford.
Valencia followed the example of Wolves and Derby by holding Mourinho’s men in a home stadium where visitors used to fear to tread.
Fans have not seen a home win since the opening weekend of the season but remained behind their under-pressure manager and under-performing team.
Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku came closest to breaking the deadlock, by forcing fine saves out of keeper Neto but United also had to endure some anxious moments at the back.
Mourinho said on the eve of the game that his team’s failings were a collective responsibility – including the players, manager, coaching staff and even the nutritionist. He clearly did not include the coach driver.
United cannot seem to get anything right these days. It is one thing being late for matches in London – but they actually contrived to be late for a home game after being held up by traffic in the four-mile drive from their city centre hotel. It meant they did not arrive until 7.15pm and kick-off was delayed by five minutes.
Mourinho’s programme notes emphasised that no individual is bigger than the club – a clear reminder no doubt to Pogba, their highest profile star.
“The team is more important than the individual and the crest on the chest is more important than the name on the back of the shirt,” wrote Mourinho.
“This is me. This is how I work. This is what I ask of my team, my group, my club.” He made four changes following the debacle at West Ham – Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez, Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly were all recalled – and his team seemed to take heed of his rallying call in the early minutes, showing far more energy as they pressed Valencia at every opportunity.
Rashford tested Neto’s nerve with a couple of powerful long-range shots and saw a header blocked by former Arsenal player Gabriel.
But United could not maintain their early momentum against a Valencia side who only managed to win their first game of the season at the weekend.
Four members of United’s fabled Class of ’92 – David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville – were in the crowd while a fifth, Paul Scholes, was running his critical eye over the game in a TV studio.
As a scrappy first half wore on and United struggled to penetrate, the fans – and no doubt Mourinho – were no doubt wishing he had some of their quality on the pitch. United looked vulnerable whenever the Spaniards attacked.
Goncalo Guedes had the measure of Valencia and constantly caused problems down their right flank.
The United skipper softened the winger up with one clattering challenge but Guedes was not deterred for long.
After a slow start to the second half, United responded to chants of “attack, attack, attack” from their impatient fans by stepping up the tempo. Rashford and Pogba both had shots deflected. But just as they
tried to build up some momentum referee Salvkop Vincic stopped Rashford’s dangerous surge into the penalty area because defender Geoffrey Kondogbia was lying prone on the pitch.
Pogba came close to giving United the lead when his 25-yard free-kick forced Neto to fly across his goal to tip the ball over the bar.
United had eventually built up a head of steam but they got a reminder of Valencia’s threat when former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi went close. Lukakau had not enjoyed the best of nights but he forced a save out of Neto as United kept the pressure on.
There were cheers when Sanchez was replaced by Anthony Martial. Lukaku went close to breaking the deadlock when he headed over from Rashford’s corner. MAN UTD (4-4-3): De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Shaw; Fellaini, Matic, Pogba; Sanchez (Martial 76), Lukaku, Rashford. Booked: Lukaku.
VALENCIA (4-4-2): Neto; Piccini, Gabriel, Garay, Gaya; Parejo, Coquelin (Soler 78), Kondogbia, Guedes (Cheryshev 83); Batshuayi (Gameiro 73), Rodrigo. Booked: Rodrigo, Coquelin, Parejo, Piccini, Gaya, Kondogbia.
Referee: S Vincic (Slovenia).