Defence is best form of attack... stat’s final
JOSE MOURINHO insisted “I’m not reading the stats” when quizzed on Romelu Lukaku’s minimal involvement against Chelsea.
Ignoring the facts and figures is probably not a bad idea because they make grim reading. It is now one goal in seven league games for United under Mourinho in away games against Big-Six rivals.
And after racking up 20 shots on target, scoring seven goals and picking up seven points from their first three away games this season – at Swansea, Stoke and Southampton - United have managed just six shots, one goal and one point from their last three.
Two of those most recent three games were Big Six clashes at Liverpool and Chelsea as United’s struggles in those fixtures continued. That clearly needs to change.
After coming in for plenty of stick for United’s display at Anfield last month, and perhaps sensing a vulnerability about Chelsea, Mourinho adopted a more attacking approach at Stamford Bridge yesterday.
Lukaku was partnered by Marcus Rashford in a front two, Henrikh Mkhitaryan was behind them, and Mourinho gave his wing-backs licence to get forward.
But United’s greater attacking intent meant they sacrificed the control and organisation that Mourinho craves so much.
As a result, United looked on the verge of conceding every time Chelsea poured forward and it was no surprise when Alvaro Morata did eventually break through in the 55th minute.
So it will be no surprise if Mourinho reverts to his normal approach to big away games when United visit Arsenal on December 2.