United are a mess & Jose’s reign is in danger of becoming a tailspin of decline

JOSE MOURINHO likes his statistics, so here are a few facts which illustrate how Manchester United are going backwards.

Rarely, in the last 30 years, can I think of a time when United were heading to Anfield with such low expectations and with their fortunes drifting so feebly on the pitch.

They are 16 points behind Liverpool. Both the margin of deficit and the identity of the Premier League leaders is difficult for the supporters at Old Trafford to accept.

And although I do not like to see any manager sacked, especially someone who has achieved as much as Mourinho, you have to wonder how the United hierarchy might react if they are well beaten at Anfield this weekend.

In his own words, asked how far away United were from being a team built in his own image, he replied: “Far.”

That is truly an incredible and shocking admission for him to make when he has spent £353million and he has had two-and-a-half years to assemble a squad matching the depth and style of Jurgen Klopp’s at Liverpool.

And it’s taken Unai Emery only half a season to renew hope at Arsenal. Instead of building on two trophies in his first season, Mourinho’s reign is in danger of becoming a tailspin of decline undermined by seven deadly sins.

ONE: United have been outrun, in terms of distance covered, in every Premier League game this season.

TWO: Mourinho has used 24 different players this season – only Tottenham have used more.

THREE: Only Fulham, bottom of the table, have kept fewer clean sheets than United, which is a frightening stat for a manager whose philosophy is based on sound defensive organisation.

FOUR: Mourinho has spent £353m, yet only three of last weekend’s starting XI against Fulham were his signings.

FIVE: In the post-fergie era, after 16 games United have the worst defensive record, worst

FOUR out of 10 last week, must do better. The crystal ball has been in detention, but here are the forecasts for this weekend’s Premier League games: 3-1 1-1 0-1 3-0 2-1 2-2 1-2 0-2 0-2 3-0

goal difference, highest number of shots faced, and lowest number of clean sheets.

SIX: United have conceded six goals from corners, which is the most in the division.

SEVEN: Since 2013 only David Moyes took fewer points, and was lower in the table, after 16 games.

And for a bonus helping of misery, United have found themselves 2-0 down in

37.5 per cent of games this season.

All those stats tell me Manchester United are going backwards. They are miles off the pace in terms of the title and I can’t see them finishing in the top four.

They produced a fantastic late rally to beat Juventus in Turin, which effectively won them a place in the Champions League last 16, but are they going to win the European Cup? In your dreams.

Do you think Mourinho will go to Anfield and take the fight to Liverpool? Put it this way: It’s been 0-0 the last two years so don’t expect Jose to turn cavalier all of a sudden.

I would think he’ll go for physical power, with a heavy accent on setpieces, to nullify Liverpool – but I wouldn’t be surprised if he came unstuck this time.

One truth about United this season is that Mourinho has never been more than one or two games away from crisis or talk about his job being on the line.

Another truth is that a fan base brought up on the traditions and feats of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson won’t stand for functional football if it’s allied to stats like those I’ve listed above.

Can they keep hold of goalkeeper David De Gea if things carry on like this?

Why can’t Mourinho get the best out of record signing Paul Pogba? Do you seriously think Klopp or City boss Pep Guardiola (left) would struggle to harness his talent?

And even if United were to part company with Mourinho, who has the stature and the personality to take on the job?

They aren’t going to get Klopp or Guardiola, and Zinedine Zidane doesn’t seem to be in any rush to try his luck in English football.

Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t won a trophy yet, and United would have to pay big compensation to Tottenham to get him.

Much as it pains me to say it, Manchester United are drifting – and I’ve got no idea how it’s going to change.

Realistically, the only trophy they can win this season is the FA Cup. And winning that wasn’t enough to save Mourinho’s predecessor Louis van Gaal.