Jose Mourinho has been Manchester United manager for slightly close to a week now, although one would argue he has been the de facto manager for close to three months considering how Louis van Gaal managed to hang by a thread for so long.
With the players away, Jose has been making the most of his free time in Manchester, visiting the AON training Complex where he was warmly received by club legend Sir Bobby Charlton and Chief Executive Ed Woodward.
It’s a well known fact that Jose Mourinho hasn’t made the most of the youthful players at clubs throughout his illustrious managerial career, but the Portuguese has taken a bold stride to alleviate the pressure by approving the awarding of long term contracts to academy graduates Marcus Rashford and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson; a move that has been like music to the ears of United loyalists.
However with Old Trafford very much unsettled- largely due to missing out on the Champions League- here are three things ‘The Special One’ should do to calm the nerves at the Theatre of Dreams.
Win the Community Shield
The FA Community Shield, otherwise referred to as the Charity Shield, is the curtain raiser for top flight football in England. The winners of the Premier League and FA Cup the previous season usually face off at Wembley in what is not only a show of strength but also another dig at securing silverware.
In the past the winner of the Community Shield at the new Wembley went on to clinch the Premier League title that season, but times have changed, and changed they have.
Leicester City may be in unfamiliar territory having won the Premier League, but the champions will be looking to add to their medal tally when they face Manchester United on 7th August for the 94th edition of the competition. Mourinho may not have been there when United clinched the FA Cup, but the new gaffer should ensure the Red devils clinch the shield at all costs.
Albeit a decimal trophy, it is still a trophy and one that will send a massive statement of intent should they beat the reigning Premier League champions to clinch it.
Release the deadwood
Jose Mourinho’s first cause of action should be a thorough assessment of the current squad, and how best to strengthen it. Unfortunately there are certain players who won’t fit into his philosophy or perhaps just aren’t good enough to fit into any Manchester United side.
The ever injured Phil Jones, the ineffectual Marcos Rojo and perhaps Juan Mata could top the billing.
Sign Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has earned his rightful ranking among a vast majority of Manchester United supporters for his goal scoring deftness. Although in his mid-thirties, the Swede scored an overwhelming 50 goals in 51 appearances for PSG last season.
As such, there have been calls for Mourinho to reunite with his prodigy at Old Trafford but that however remains to be seen