Manchester United has reportedly delayed contract talks with their Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho. Some sources are claiming that there are major doubts over his ability to lead the Red Devils back to the top of the Premier League standings. It is believed that the clubs officials at the Manchester club are surprised by Manchester City’s incredible form this season under manager Pep Guardiola and the impact that the Spanish boss has made across town at the Etihad Stadium. The Red Devils currently find themselves 13 points behind the Citizens who are leading the Premier League standings following the disappointing draw at Leicester City in their last league outing.
A report in the English press has now suggested that the Portuguese manager’s defensive approach has not gone down well with the senior officials at Manchester United. The fact that the former Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager has never stayed at a club for more than three seasons has added fuel to the fire and has cast a doubt over his long-term future at Old Trafford.
However, the Manchester outfit can trigger a 12-month contract extension in his current deal with the club. Some reports also argue that United are ready to hand him a new long-term contract after being impressed by the club’s emergence as a European heavyweight under the guidance of the Special One following the departure of ex-boss Louis Van Gaal.
Under Mourinho’s guidance, Manchester United won the Carabao Cup as well as the Europa League in their last campaign and are now back to playing football in the Champions League. They are currently second in the Premier League table, albeit a long way behind rivals Manchester City. The chief officials at the club are being reported to be disappointed at the lack of progress made by the club this season after Mourinho splashed the cash in the summer to bring in players such as Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof at Old Trafford.
The recent comments made by the Special One on Paris Saint-Germain and his future at Manchester hasn’t helped his case whatsoever, according to some reports of late.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United show enough confidence in their Portuguese boss and secure his long-term future at the club. Their scrappy form, which was once again evident from their last-gasp draw against Burnley at home in their last match in the Premier League, is not supposed to make the situation any better for their gaffer for sure.
