Jose Mourinho’s reign as Manchester United as Man United boss has got off to a stuttering start.
The Red Devils won their first three league games of the new season, but have since won just one in five, including a 0-0 draw at Liverpool on Monday night.
However, Mourinho will be happy with his side’s performance at Anfield, and will likely use it as a springboard for better and more consistent results in the weeks to come.
It’s not just the league form that has been distinctly average though, their Europa League campaign hasn’t got off to the greatest of starts either.
Although they beat Zorya Luchansk 1-0 in their last European outing, Mourinho’s men meekly went down 1-0 in Feyenoord in their first group game, and know that they could do with beating Turkish side Fenerbache on Thursday to really stamp their authority on the group.
Mourinho may use Thursday’s game to see what fringe players could make the step up to the first team, so here are THREE that he should give a chance to against Fenerbache…
Michael Carrick
Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
It seems pretty clear that Mourinho does not know his best team, be it the two he wants to play in front of the back four, whether or not to play Wayne Rooney, and where best to play Paul Pogba.
Yet, Michael Carrick hasn’t really been given enough game time to stake his claim for a starting role, and deserves a chance to do so on Thursday.
It cannot be understated how much of a difference Carrick makes when he plays in the middle for United. He makes things tick and brings a measure of calmness to the side.
Ander Herrera was excellent against Liverpool on Monday night and Marouane Fellaini did pretty well, but you sense that Mourinho played Fellaini because they were playing a Liverpool side who struggle to defend set-pieces, not necessarily because he’s the first choice in that position.
Carrick still has something to offer, and he should be given the chance against Fenerbache.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
The same can also be said of former Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
It was seen as a real coup when United got a deal done for the French midfielder following his excellent season at Southampton, and he became a regular feature in the United first-team under former boss Louis van Gaal.
However, he hasn’t had much of a chance under Mourinho, and has been restricted to just four appearances this season – the last of which came against Northampton Town almost a month ago.
Another player with something to prove, Schneiderlin should get a chance in the United midfield on Thursday.
Luke Shaw
Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
Daley Blind has done a pretty good job since filling in for left-back Luke Shaw over the past few weeks.
However, 21-year-old Shaw still appears to be the best option for United at left-back, and should be given an opportunity to prove himself on Thursday.
He was publicly criticised by his manager following the 3-1 defeat at Watford last month, and appeared for the first time since that match as a substitute at Anfield on Monday.
He’s proved in his time at Old Trafford that, when fit, he’s a very accomplished left-back, and deserves a chance to prove that again on Thursday.