Manchester United got off to the best possible start this season with their new signings gelling well with the team and the Red Devils looked like they would be stomping away to the title. They dispatched sides with great ease and the balance of the team looked immaculate.
However, the injury to their midfield ace Paul Pogba slowed down the rapid progress United were making and they have hit the brakes quite often in the last two months with a cloud of scepticism sprawling over the club.
As the cracks are beginning to unearth, it can be seen that Mourinho is suffering a shortage of players in the middle of the park. Of his first five choices as centre midfielders, only Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera have been fully fit and while Fellaini has just returned from his injury, Carrick and Pogba are still unavailable.
Mourinho was desperate for a midfield signing in the summer and the arrival of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea calmed down the Portuguese. It now seems like a crucial signing as the club would have been left well short in the middle had the Matic transfer failed to transpire.
Another player who has been important for United has been Ander Herrera. One of United’s best players last season, the hardworking Spaniard was unable to find his place in the lineup since the arrival of Matic. However, injury woes at United have seen Herrera restored to the United lineup and the Spaniard has been impressive yet again.
He is a typical player as per liking of Jose Mourinho, who always gives a 110% on the pitch and rarely has a bad day in the office. With Pogba being the flair player, Carrick is on his last legs and Fellaini being more of a joker in the pack, the role of Herrera becomes absolutely crucial.
He is possibly the only player besides Matic in that midfield who can deploy his tasks quietly and get the dirty tackle in when his side needs him to. It is therefore vital that United extend his contract which is set to expire at the end of the current season. Mourinho would do well to get the situation sorted before any further complications, especially given that there have been links of Herrera moving to Atletico Madrid once his contract here expires.
Reports have suggested exactly what we think as Mourinho is set to offer the Spaniard a new, extended stay at Old Trafford.
