The United hierarchy are not panicking however and have backed their new managerial choice, comparing his confrontational side to that of Sir Alex Ferguson. His performances in Leicester’s run to the title were especially eye-catching and alongside Kante, Albrighton and Mahrez the midfielder became more consistent.
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Former manager Louis van Gaal played him in midfield towards the end of last season and he fill that role with negligible impact for England in this year’s dismal Euro 2016 campaign.
Marouane Fellaini admits Manchester United are in a “little crisis” after losing three successive matches. Some even urged him to retire from professional football!
However, Mourinho is still reportedly unimpressed with his midfield options after they were overrun during the 2-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City. Sound familiar? It should do.
Mourinho has never been afraid to make tough decisions during his trophy-laden managerial career and he faces a huge one on the 30-year-old Rooney, who is four goals short of overtaking Bobby Charlton as the club’s all-time leading scorer.
The Red Devils were forced to spend big to bring Pogba back and they could be about to do the same with Drinkwater.
But with Pogba coming into the team, and Rooney failing to step things up, Mourinho was left in a complete state of limbo.
As a means of tempting the midfielder back to Old Trafford, United are said to be willing to offer Drinkwater a contract worth £150,000 per-week.
Paul Scholes’ presence was always going to make it hard for Drinkwater to get into the first team, but he also became disillusioned by a lack of regular action.
The Mirror say he has told friends that United’s stars need to be retrained to think for themselves after two years of conforming to the Dutchman’s rigid style of play.
The question is whether the Leicester man would be anything more than a bit-part player at United, whether he could provide different skills in midfield or might simply add to the clutter of square pegs in round holes that Mourinho is now working with.
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Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has revealed how his game has evolved in a short space of time, in an exclusive interview with Inside United, the club’s official magazine. Is Drinkwater the man to solve Pogba’s problems? Let us know in the comments section below.
