Former Manchester United player Ashley Young has spoken honestly, reflecting back on Jose Mourinho’s tenure at the club.
Reflecting on Mourinho’s managerial reign at Man United, Young conveyed a mixture of initial excitement and eventual disappointment with the Portuguese manager’s approach to the game.
During his appearance on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Young remarked, “I think everyone was really excited about Jose coming in. When you see what he did in his career, you thought this is an appointment that could have happened years prior to when it did. I say a little disappointing as to what was to come.
“You knew Jose from the Chelsea days, and then he went to Real, and then he’s come back, and you see the style of football being played. I don’t think it was a style of football that suited the Manchester United way.”
When asked if the players chatted among themselves about Mourinho’s tactics, Young said, “Yeah, of course players always talk, and even then, as players, we could have taken it on a bit more.”
He continued, “I think there was too much surrounding the club, and at times there were players who had been brought under the boss (Ferguson); it was sink or swim. And it was difficult times where I don’t think players really gave as much as they could.”
Young’s remarks shed light on the challenges faced by the squad during Mourinho’s reign, including external pressures and the expectation for players to excel under the shadow of Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy.
Despite Mourinho’s departure in 2018 following a series of disappointing results and reported rifts within the team, his achievements, including winning the Carabao Cup and Europa League, were not overlooked.
Mourinho himself touted United’s second-place finish in the 2017-18 Premier League season as a highlight of his managerial career.
Since parting ways with Manchester United, Mourinho has had mixed success at Tottenham and Roma, prompting speculation about a potential return to Old Trafford to replace the current manager, Erik ten Hag, who is facing scrutiny.
Following their embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night, Ten Hag’s side have slipped to 8th in the league, with just one win in their last seven games.
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