Five Man United players who would dread Jose

These five may dread the Portuguese, but another five would relish him…

Juan Mata
What’s ‘oh b*llocks’ in Spanish? Considering his outwardly calm demeanour, Juan Mata would greet a reunion with Jose Mourinho with a smile and a blog. But the Spaniard would be forgiven for reacting with private trepidation. First impressions are difficult to alter.

It has been nearly two-and-a-half years since Mata joined United. The 28-year-old was Chelsea’s two-time Player of the Year, but was sold within eight months of Mourinho’s return to the Stamford Bridge hot seat. Mata has since revealed that there was “no dialogue” and “no relationship” between player and manager before his exit, with the midfielder admitting he was “not happy”.

Predictably, Mata was not the only one all too happy to discuss the situation. “I am sorry that I didn’t make him a stronger player,” said Mourinho in January 2014. “Maybe it was something new for him, not to be a first choice in a difficult moment.” By October of that year, Mourinho had reflected once more: “With these players who are not fundamental for me, it’s where you have to do the best possible job. Chelsea cannot have 20 replicas. I cannot have Fabregas and another Fabregas getting the same salary. If he can’t play I can adapt and put Oscar, say, here.”

Mata is not fast enough to play as a winger, is not dynamic enough to play as a No. 10 in the current system, and, as history has taught us, is not defensive-minded enough to prosper under Mourinho. ‘Ay, cojones’ indeed.

Daley Blind
With 56 appearances in all competitions, Blind has featured for United more than any other player this season. Van Gaal’s trusty lieutenant from their time together in the Netherlands squad, the 26-year-old has fulfilled his manager’s demands better than anyone. When the identity of the boss changes, so does Blind’s importance. Not enough of a physical presence to be a centre-half, lacking the sufficient ‘Sch’ to be a central midfielder, and facing perhaps too much competition for a place at left-back, an insight into Daley Blind’s Manchester United career post-Van Gaal makes for worrying reading. Were Mourinho to replace his former managerial master, Blind’s versatility may form part of the counter argument against him, rather than fighting his case. The 26-year-old’s stock would fall from guaranteed starter to bit-part player, and we would be deprived regular viewings of his luscious hair. And that would be the real shame.

Memphis Depay
Both sealed their big Premier League moves at the age of 21, both were the standout players in European leagues considered adept testing grounds, both moved for around £30million, and both arrived amid fanfare and excitement. And while Memphis Depay has struggled in his debut season at Manchester United, the progress made by Eden Hazard before this campaign provides hope for the Dutchman.

After a difficult but productive first season at Stamford Bridge, Hazard was placed under Mourinho’s management. The Portuguese moulded the winger into the jewel of his crown, the Belgian winning the Premier League Player of the Year award as Chelsea marched to the title. He became a more complete player.

But there is the flip side. This very season provides a microcosm of the opposite effect Mourinho can have on a promising forward. Hazard did not score a single goal in 24 games up until the Portuguese’s sacking in December, and was one of the many victims of Chelsea’s style and collapse under their former manager. Individuals rarely prosper in Mourinho’s machines; Hazard was one such exception last season. But this campaign proved the rule. Considering Depay’s struggles under Van Gaal, the latter option seems more likely were Mourinho to be appointed boss.

Anthony Martial
An exciting, young, unpredictable, precocious talent? There’s little room for that in the world of Mourinho. Despite being shunted out to the left wing, Martial finished the season as United’s top-goalscorer in all competitions with 17 goals. Van Gaal is perceived to have stunted his growth, but there would be no respite under the Portuguese. The Frenchman would be expected to work harder, tackle more and provide extra defensive cover, thereby blunting his attacking output. Mourinho reportedly sought the signature of Martial before the striker opted for Old Trafford, but it’s difficult to envisage the 20-year-old prospering under his tutelage.

Any player under 23
Much due criticism has been levelled at Louis van Gaal during his two-year tenure, but one facet of his management cannot be argued: the Dutchman readily trusts youth players. Perhaps even too much.

In that respect, his could not be a style more in contrast with that of Mourinho. Since the start of the 2014/15 season, the number of Premier League starts made by players under 23 at Chelsea under the Portuguese is 27. The number of Premier League starts made by players under 23 at United this season alone is 80. Jesse Lingard, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Timothy Fosu-Mensah have been handed ample first-team opportunities under Van Gaal, but Mourinho would simply not abide by their inclusion. Just ask Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Imagine too what Marcus Rashford’s future would hold. The forward has scored eight goals in 18 games, has earned an England call-up and only turns 19 in October. The following is a list of the age at which the strikers to have made at least one Premier League start for Mourinho from 2013 to 2015 played their first game under the manager: 36, 32, 29, 29, 28, 27, Diego Costa is the child of the group at a sprightly 25. Rashford has overcome a host of hurdles in breaking into the first team; would Mourinho be one too many?

Matt Stead