Forget parked bus, Jose learnt the ‘United way’
THERE were several reservations about Jose Mourinho when he arrived at Old Trafford and chief among them was that he did not understand how to play ‘the United way’. This was a man who ‘parked buses’ and whose trademark score was the 1-0 win. There were plenty who believed Mourinho would win silverware but plenty who were anxious as to how he would go about it.
However, Juan Mata has argued that coming to Old Trafford had changed the way Mourinho thought about football.
“He has changed,” Mata said. “It is a different environment, it is a different club and squad.
“This club has always known that they play one kind of football which is about attacking and creating chances. We are doing that and he is happy with the performances.
“Everyone can see the players are playing with more confidence. He is the same person, with almost the same staff but what has changed is the environment.”
When Mourinho’s appointment was announced, Mata must have felt a sense of dread. This was, after all, the man who had allowed him to leave Chelsea.
This season, however, Mata is more certain of his place against Liverpool on Sunday than either Anthony Martial or Wayne Rooney.
“It is nine wins in a row now and in terms of results, it’s the best I have known at Manchester United,” said Mata. “In terms of the confidence and mentality we are showing it is also the best time since I have been here.”
After Manchester United won the first leg of their League Cup semifinal 2-0 against Hull, Mourinho was critical both of the Old Trafford fans, whom he thought should have shown more fervour, and of Mata for his prolonged celebration in front of the Stretford End after opening the scoring. “In cup ties, every goal can be crucial, so why celebrate when you have half an hour to play?” he said.
It was, however, the second goal, scored by Moyes’s other signing for Manchester United – Marouane Fellaini – which drew the most vivid celebrations as player and manager embraced each other by the touchline. The previous month, against Tottenham, Fellaini had been booed by his own crowd.
It was not just the scorer but the scoreline which was significant. Mourinho is now very close to his fourth League Cup final. In the history of the League Cup that stretches back to 1960, eight teams have won the first leg of a semi-final 2-0 and all have gone on to reach the final.
Only one team, Tranmere in 1994, has won the first leg of a League Cup semifinal by a two-goal margin and not reached the final.
“We are playing better than we have though,” said Mata.
“It’s been not so good in some games but we are winning and when you are not playing at your best but winning it creates a strong mentality and this club should have it always.
“We have won nine games in a row but football has no past and the present is Liverpool.”– The Independent