When Manchester United arrive at Sixfields Stadium tomorrow night, they will encounter a side still smarting from the blunt conclusion to a long unbeaten run but everything has a context and theirs is an understanding of what discomfort truly feels like.
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Confirmed as the replacement for departing United manager Louis van Gaal in May, Mourinho’s Old Trafford tenure began in encouraging fashion. I think that’s the position the two players should be competing for.
Excluding the Community Shield (which is just a glorified friendly), Mourinho has managed Man United in six competitive games – half of which they have lost.
Dugarry, who the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France, went on to criticise United boss Mourinho, who tasted three consecutive losses for the first time in over a decade. The Hornet’s manager brought on Juan Zuniga in the 82nd minute and he went on to score with his first touch of the game a minute later. This is the first time Mourinho has suffered three successive defeats since managing FC Porto in 2002. I believe this team is capable of doing great things this season. “So we were punished by these mistakes and I can’t do anything about it”.
There again he was the man to get on the score-sheet as even Zlatan Ibrahimovic, another much-heralded summer signing, was easily kept on the periphery by Watford’s defence. If Mourinho wants to get the title this season, he should start to use his players in a more proactive way too.
The Swede has scored four Premier League goals – the same as Watford midfielder Etienne Capoue – but Dugarry is unimpressed with his lack of mobility.
United fans have voiced their concerns about Rooney on social media and radio call shows in a rising groundswell of discontent and Mourinho faces a tense few days in which to ponder the situation.
They head to Northampton Town on Wednesday for an EFL Cup third-round fixture, with Mourinho expected to make wholesale changes to his regular line-up.
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Both played on, but a challenge eight minutes later left the United forward looking groggy as he made his way off when being replaced by Ashley Young.
