Zimpapers Logo

LONDON. – His Manchester United side had just walked away from Anfield with a well-earned draw after nullifying Jurgen Klopp’s free-scoring side and Jose Mourinho already sensed the criticism coming his way. The self-proclaimed Special One had “parked the bus” against United’s fiercest rivals and some accused Mourinho of betraying the club’s rich traditions of attacking football.

It was the first of three testing matches in a week for Mourinho’s men and, though a point looked satisfactory at the time, his decision to shut up shop looked a mistake afterUnited ended the week with a 4-0 thumping at Stamford Bridge.

At Anfield, Marcus Rashford spent most of the game at left wing-back, with Paul Pogba the only source of service for an isolated Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

United’s lack of adventure earned them a draw at Anfield but a more attack-minded line-up against Chelsea just six days later led to a rude awakening and a 4-0 defeat.

The week encapsulated the muddled start Mourinho made to life at Old Trafford. The 53-year-old, so ruthless in his previous spells at Chelsea and Real Madrid, was yet to imprint his own ideas on a confused United side and it was showing in their performances.

Liverpool, though, travel to Old Trafford tomorrow in full knowledge that they take on a very different Manchester United side this time around.

Since that defeat to Liverpool, United have lost just once in the league and that defeat came against Chelsea in the same week.

Mourinho’s found a winning formula and the attacking football that United have played along the way has debunked some myths about the Portuguese boss. – Metro