Mourinho’s United lack true leaders
WHAT struck me when watching Manchester United against Sevilla was that I did not know who was captaining the side.
In United’s seven Champions League matches this season, Jose Mourinho has named four different captains.
This week it was Antonio Valencia — more often than not their captain in the Premier League — but Paul Pogba, Ashley Young and Chris Smalling have also worn the armband in Europe this season.
It never used to be this way. United had Bryan Robson, Roy Keane — captains who were synonymous with the club. The same is true at other Premier League clubs.
Arsenal had Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira, Chelsea had John Terry. Steven Gerrard would drive Liverpool to victory. But where are all the leaders now?
In my third game at Arsenal, I faced Manchester United at Old Trafford. I was up against Mark Hughes and we kept a clean sheet, winning 1-0. Viv Anderson, who did not play but was watching in the stands, said that it was the best performance he had seen from a centre back all season.
When a European Cup winner said you had been magnificent, you believed it. It showed real leadership — and he wasn’t even wearing the armband.
Before most games at Arsenal, I used to look around the dressing room and remind everyone of the quality in the room. It helped create a togetherness. That seems to be lacking at Old Trafford and is one of the reasons Pogba is struggling. Imagine if he had been at United with Robson. He would have taken Pogba under his wing and protected him from the manager.
United do not lack personalities, but Pogba’s team-mates are more concerned with fighting to keep their place in the side.
At Chelsea, Mourinho had his untouchables. He had nine players who could not be dropped. At United, only David de Gea seems genuinely undroppable. When you have a core group of players who are cemented in the team, it is easier to offer help to others.
Perhaps the academy system is not producing enough characters to become leaders. Players are put on a pedestal from such a young age.
Does the fact that the game has become so technical mean there are fewer players who are prepared to fight and scrap?
This is why Gareth Southgate should make Harry Kane England captain. He did not have an easy road as a young player, going out on loan and being told he was not good enough. Those experiences have helped develop the qualities that you need to lead a side.
The best teams have all had strong captains. Kane is perfect for that role with the national team, and is the sort of player that Manchester United, and many other Premier League clubs, are lacking.