Immense United show class and then character to silence the Scousers

Get in! There is quite simply no feeling like getting one over on the Scousers in the biggest game of all.

Any win against our most hated rivals is special, but this one was even more sweet as it was sealed with two world class finishes from the right boot of local lad Marcus Rashford. This was a perfectly balanced performance that showcased both aspects of the Reds tactical identikit.
United's first half performance was one of our best of the season as we set about Liverpool from the off with devastating power, pace and intensity. We showed class to race into a 2-0 lead after 24 minutes, an advantage that should probably have been more.

In the face of the anticipated Liverpool fight back after half-time, it was United's character and game management that shone through. David de Gea would have been expecting a busy afternoon at the office, but - despite their superior possession and territory - he found himself a virtual spectator as Liverpool barely had a shot of note. This was a classic Jose Mourinho performance of grit, organisation and resilience, only breached through Eric Bailly's fortuitous own goal which came as he attempted to clear.

This was Rashford's first brace since he sank Arsenal on his league debut, as he picked up the man of the match award for a relentless display of direct running, in which Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander - Arnold suffered a torrid time. But there were immense individual showings all over the pitch in a terrific and tenacious team performance. Ashley Young again got the nod over Luke Shaw and magnificently shackled 32-goal winger Mo Salah -  Player of the Season for many - to such an extent that the Egyptian didn't muster an effort on goal until stoppage time. Eric Bailly - outstanding on his first start since the November defeat at Chelsea - played like he'd never been away and forced Roberto Firmino to the fringes. Sadio Mane was also on the periphery as Liverpool's much vaunted front three were nullified brilliantly. Credit too to the much-maligned Chris Smalling, who flourished with the composure of Bailly alongside him. Smalling kept a cool head and stood strong under pressure to keep Liverpool at arm's length throughout.
United were bereft of the services of Paul Pogba, the Frenchman pulled up injured during training on Friday. That saw Scott McTominay deployed in a slightly deeper defensive role alongside the string-pulling Nemanja Matic. It was testament to McTominay's coming-of-age performance that Pogba was not missed, and Scott caught the eye with his work rate, temperament and passing range. In this most high profile of fixtures, McTominay did not look out of place and is growing by the week in the Red of United.

After we took the big name scalp of champions Chelsea and then snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in vintage style against Palace, Jose's tactical acumen again ensured United delivered when it mattered. He outmanouevred Klopp and exploited Liverpool's weakness to bypass the visitors pressing through the middle and went aerial to leave Dejan Lovren exposed. In the centre back's battle with Romelu Lukaku, there was only ever going to be one winner. The Belgian bullied his opponent and profited with two assists for Rashford, who had a field day against the youth and inexperience of Alexander - Arnold. Eyebrows were raised when Marouane Fellaini came on in place of the hat-trick hunting Rashford in the face of the fire with 20 minutes to play. But the Belgian, on his return, did his job well and helped his side to disrupt Liverpool's rhythm and see the tie out.

This got the most pivotal of weeks off to the perfect start and our challenge now is to keep the momentum going with Sevilla on Tuesday and the FA Cup quarter final with Brighton on the horizon.

Woke up this morning feeling fine, we certainly did!

Mourinho beats Conte again as United rise to the occasion

As with this corresponding tie from last season, few gave United a chance of victory but Jose Mourinho pulled off another tactical masterstroke when it mattered. His counterpart Antonio Conte took off star man Eden Hazard with 17 minutes to go and the tie finely poised. It sent out the message that he had settled for the draw and added further fuel to the fire that the Italian is a man whose Stamford Bridge days are numbered. His jack-in-the-box antics may remain, but Conte looks a shadow of the manager who steered his team to title dominance in his first Premier League season last term.

Jose got the better of his rival again but the pair seemed amicable

Jose, though, showed why his tactical acumen remains renowned throughout world football. Eyebrows were raised in this fixture in April when he named a United side without talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But the Reds, deployed in a 3-5-2 formation that day, stunned the champions elect with a display of pace, power and tactical brilliance in what was then our best performance under the Portuguese. There have been many since, and this was another memorable day at the office. United were not quite as good this time as we were then, but then we didn’t need to be.
Chelsea have not been the all-conquering force that stormed to the title either. Jose got his tactics absolutely spot on, but in contrast Conte’s were questionable at the very least.
 Apart from his role in Romelu Lukaku’s equaliser, Anthony Martial had endured a frustrating day at the office. The Frenchman is a match winner when on top form, but he got little joy out of Cesar Azpilicueta, widely regarded as one of the league’s best defenders. Martial was doubled up on and had one of his quietest days for a while. When Mourinho replaced him with Jesse Lingard - who was unlucky not to have started the tie - shortly after the hour mark, the intent was clear. The substitution of Lingard for Martial proved another Mourinho masterstroke.
 Having played such a pivotal part in that 2-0 win in tandem with young colleague Marcus Rashford, Lingard’s contribution again proved decisive. He headed the winner - his 13th goal of his best United season so far - but more than that his overall impact helped the Reds to turn the tide. His pace, movement and intelligence to drift into space gave United an extra dimension, one that Chelsea could not cope with having shackled Martial successfully. Lingard may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there can be no doubt over his ability as a player in the form of his life. He’s got to be first choice for England in Russia.

All the talk in the build-up to this tie surrounded the situation with Paul Pogba, the Frenchman having been left out of Wednesday’s Champions League match amid speculation on his future. He started against Chelsea and showed glimpses of his best form, but it was Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay alongside him who caught the eye in United’s 4-3-3 system. Matic looked back to his metronomic level against his former side, and the two eventually got the better of Chelsea’s star duo Willian and Eden Hazard after the visitors had dictated things early on. Matic and McTominay - in a coming of age performance - seized control of the midfield battle that so often proves crucial, just as we saw in this fixture last year with Ander Herrera's magnificent, lung-busting performance. Between them, the pair did not allow Chelsea to gain any momentum, engaging their opposite numbers high up the pitch. That allowed us to push 20 yards further forward and go from a losing position to a winning one.
This was a day in which Jose usurped his counterpart Conte again - and it was one that showed he’s still a man who can mix it with the best.

Tactics and selection were wrong from the start on Tyneside

As a fan, you feel silly questioning the decisions of one of the greatest managers of our generation, if not of all time. After all,  it's not as if any of us could do any better.

But we cannot ignore the mistakes that Jose Mourinho made in United's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle. It wasn't all his fault as there was nothing he could have done to prevent Chris Smalling's catalogue of errors for Matt Ritchie's winner - but I believe there were three things that the manager got wrong. St James Park is a difficult place to go and one that always looked a tricky challege, but it was a disappointing day for the Reds. 

Firstly, having been emphatically beaten by Tottenham in our last away game, he kept faith with the same side that lost at Wembley, despite the impressive performances of Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw against Huddersfield.  I cannot understand why the both of them were not retained here, with the boss having praised Shaw for his renewed vigour in training, it seemed a strange call to drop him. It certainly won't help Shaw's confidence. Maybe it was a decision taken with Sevilla in mind, but that's not for another week and if that's the case then why just rest Shaw when it could have been any of the others.

Why Chris Smalling, and to a lesser extent Ashley Young, were recalled is hard to fathom. What message does that send out when a team that underperformed so badly barely two weeks before are sent out to do battle again in the very next away tie. It's baffling. It shows the lack of investment in the squad since 2013, especially in defence which includes six members of Sir Alex Ferguson's last team - David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Smalling, Phil Jones, Young and Michael Carrick. It may not have altered the outcome, but our defence would certainly have benefited from the presence of Rojo and Shaw in it against Rafa Benitez's side.


Mourinho's default setting of 4-2-3-1 needs to be ditched, or at least temporarily moved away from. If we're to get the best out of Paul Pogba then you can't play him in a flat midfield two. Again, Jose used that system at Wembley and it failed miserably, so there was no sense to the decision to deploy it again at St James Park. Mourinho's stubborness and faith in this system  is hugely frustrating and certainly not helping the cause.

In that system, Pogba's out of position on the wrong side of the pitch and can't do what he does so well when pushed further forward. I don't have a problem per se with the system and in certain matches it's the best formation to use. For example in Sevilla next week, a match where we'll have less possession and play on the counter, 4-2-3-1 is perfect as it gives protection to the back four and enables us to play a bit deeper and build from the back. But there's absolutely no reason why we couldn't have gone with a midfield three against Newcastle. Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini were injured, but Carrick and McTominay came on and could easily have slotted in from the start alongside Pogba. Or even if Nemanja Matic sat deep, we could have Pogba alongside Juan Mata as two number eights in a 4-3-3. Against sides where we play on the front foot, we have to play with a three which allows Pogba to dictate the play and roam with freedom. Against Newcastle, Valencia and Young didn't push up, which meant that crosses into the box were scarce and Romelu Lukaku was starved of service as a result.

 His substitutions were also questionable against Newcastle. Granted, Herrera and Marcus Rashford were both injured and that meant he didn't have a lot to fall back on. The bench consisted of three defenders, two midfielders, Sergio Romero and Mata.  It wasn't so much who he put on but who came off. Pogba may not have enjoyed his finest hour and was clearly playing with a knock, but to take off our best passer and the one player who looked most likely to open them up at 1-0 down was strange. When Jesse Lingard followed suit soon afterwards, the little attacking impetus we had left went with him.

Shutting down City holds key to derby day victory

United's game-plan of containment and counter-attack worked a treat against Arsenal last time out and will be key again in the derby.

City have struggled in their last three matches against Huddersfield, Saints and the Hammers when confronted with teams that frustrate and stifle. Not only do United have the most miserly defence in the league, but Jose is a manager renowned for his spoiling tactics in high-profile fixtures. Without the suspended Paul Pogba pulling the strings in the middle, and like it or not, adopting a similar approach by sitting deep and hitting on the break looks the best bet in beating them. 

United are at home and on a club record-equalling run of 40 matches unbeaten at Old Trafford, so the expectation and temptation will be for the Reds to open up and attack City. As much as we all want to see Jose go for the jugular,  I can't see him doing so as that would play right into City's hands -  they would just pick us off and it's exactly what Pep's team would want us to do. 

The key battle will come in the middle of the park, with United set to go with the same 3-4-1-2 formation that Jose has utilised in recent weeks. Paul Pogba's suspension will not only be a huge blow for us as a team, but also a massive loss for the fixture as a whole. The battle between Pogba and Kevin de Bruyne - the two best pound-for-pound midfielders in the league this season - had been a mouth-watering prospect for the neutral: a match-up almost as eagerly anticipated as the contest itself. Who Jose chooses to select in Pogba's absence is his biggest selection call. Although Marouane Fellaini is available, Ander Herrera looks likely to get the nod and partner Nemanja Matic, who will play despite carrying an injury. The Basque is often at his best on the big occasions, and his energy, work ethic and industry could be key in disrupting City's free-flowing rhythm. 

It's entirely possible that Herrera will be deployed as De Bruyne's man-marking shadow, as he was used in similar circumstances to shackle Eden Hazard when Chelsea came to Old Trafford. Herrera was simply magnificent that day as he rendered one of the league's most creative and eye-catching talents almost anonymous and forced him to the fringes. He will need to be at his best to shut down De Bruyne, who has been unstoppable at times, and if he does so, it will give United a pivotal platform to build from in midfield. 

It's not just the form of the Belgian that have set City on such a roll this season, though. He is just one of many threats all over the field, with David Silva and Leroy Sane at the forefront of everything. 
Red hot Sterling and silky Sane could not be better suited to provide two key cogs in Pep's fluid 4-3-3 system, and both have contributed goals and assists in abundance, often at key times. 
United's front three will stay tight and narrow, and the two wing-backs, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, will have licence to provide United's attacking width, but they will also need to drop back and help out defensively - we'll have a back three with the ball but a back five when City have it. 

This will be a fascinating and intriguing collective and individual battle. 

Mourinho beats Wenger again and United break duck

United went to in-form Arsenal and won away from home to a "big six" club for the first time under Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese boss beat his arch-rival Arsene Wenger for an 18th time - with Wenger's only success coming in that largely insignificant 2-0 win at the Emirates in May. Jose has earned a reputation for being defensive and negative in his approach against the top sides but there was none of that here. We were forced to sit back and soak up pressure for long periods of the game, but going forward we look capable of scoring every time we went forward - it was another tactical masterclass from Jose. There was no "parking the bus" set-up this time. 

Going into the game, United's record against our top six rivals under Jose did not make for pretty reading: three points from a possible twenty-one with only one goal scored (Wayne Rooney in our last trip to White Hart Lane a week after that defeat at the Emirates). 

This evolving United side are showing all the hallmarks of a classic Jose side: clinical and ruthless in attack, but also defensively strong, solid and thrillingly decisive on the counter-attack. 
For the opening ten minutes, we brutally punished two defensive errors from Arsenal and raced into a 2-0 lead, a start better than any of us could've hoped for. For an hour we were reliant on the breathtaking brilliance of David de Gea between the sticks to keep Arsenal out, even our Alexandre Lacazette had pulled a goal back. Finally, the Reds were dogged if depleted following the sending off Paul Pogba, but managed the game superbly to hold out for a fourth successive league win. 

Whilst De Gea's brilliance shows that United may have had to ride our luck at times, the team were impressive in offering a balance between defence and attack, led by the excellent Paul Pogba, Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard. 
Nemanja Matic recovered from the injury he sustained at Watford to start after initially seeming to be ruled out (more mind games from Jose?) and the presence of the metronomic midfielder once again freed up Pogba to wreak havoc high up the pitch.

Pogba now has five assists this season, surpassing his four from the last campaign, and his needless sending off was the only dark spot from an otherwise brilliant afternoon - he now misses the Manchester derby to make an already difficult challenge that little bit harder.

United's tally of 35 points after 14 games is the best since the 2012/13 season, Sir Alex's last in charge and our most recent title winning triumph. It's a points haul that would be enough for most sides to sit top of the table, but the relentless brilliance of Pep Guardiola's side - who have dropped only two points from their opening 13 games - has left United playing catch - up. 

Mourinho took a risk against Arsenal and it worked, but whether he chooses to live so dangerously when the neighbours come to town next weekend remains to be seen.

How to solve a problem like Romelu: Lukaku the perfect player for United's counter-attacking style

Zlatan Ibrahimovic brought an aura and a superstar presence to the United attack but Romelu Lukaku fits the bill far better than the Swede. 

Ibrahimovic would have reached 30 goals last season if not for that cruel knee injury, but he was a player on a victory lap looking for one last hurrah before the end of a magnificent career.

Even though he won games on his own at times, he also missed many other gilt-edged chances that would have made a decisive difference as United drew 15 games that they should have won. 

Zlatan's lack of pace, coupled with his ability at connecting with headers in the box, often encouraged United to slow the game down and adopt a long ball approach to play to his strengths.

At times it was effective and the man was an enigmatic genius, but Mourinho bought him as an marquee statement signing - he was never going to be the long term striking option we needed.

In Romelu Lukaku, however, we have that player.

Still only 24, the Belgian is into his sixth season as a proven Premier League striker and he looks set to lead the line for United for years to come.

A consistent challenger for the Golden Boot award, Lukaku has three goals in two competitive outings for the Reds already and should he stay fit there's no reason why he can't equal - or even surpass - Ibra's tally from last season. 

His two goals against West Ham were typical of the big Belgian: the first a ball in behind that he finished with aplomb and the second a powerful header from close range.

A large element of Jose's successful sides during his career has been his ability to mould a team into a swift, fluid counter-attacking unit.

The boss didn't have the personnel to implement that during his first season in charge at United - as already mentioned, the presence of Ibra and lack of balance in midfield meant the desire for a more measured and patient approach.

Lukaku is the perfect man to spearhead such a side as his movement, ability and pace with the ball at his feet will allow quicker build up and the preference for a first time pass. 

At his best when running on to a ball in behind the defence, Lukaku tore West Ham apart on Sunday in tandem with the raw pace of Marcus Rashford.

Our attack has a greater threat already on a day when Lukaku - and United - hinted at a sign of things to come.

Magnificent Matic dazzles on Old Trafford bow

For all the attacking firepower ahead of him, it was United's Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic who stole the show on his league debut for the club against West Ham.

Despite having only played 45 minutes in the Reds final pre-season friendly, Matic was voted man of the match on his United bow in the Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid in Skopje. 

He followed that up with another dominant showing alongside Paul Pogba in the engine room to set the tempo and dictate the match as we stormed to a rousing opening day win. 

In a splendid performance, Matic was once more the pick of the bunch in Red and was again named as our most impressive player - narrowly ahead of Pogba and fellow debutant Romelu Lukaku. 

Eyebrows were raised when Jose went back to former club Chelsea to prise the two-time Premier League champion away from the Bridge for a £40m fee.

Matic proved a key man in the Blues title win under Jose Mourinho in 2014-15, and again helped them to success last term in tandem with N'golo Kante at the heart of their superb midfield. 

On this evidence, one must question what Chelsea were thinking: not only did they sanction his sale, but to do so to a direct rival was even more mystifying - the addition of Matic already seems another Mourinho masterstroke. 

Dare I say it, but there are shades of the Robin van Persie signing from Arsenal in 2012. 

Arsene Wenger allowed his star striker to join United for a £27m bargain and the Dutchman finished with 26 league goals to inspire the Reds to the title in SAF's last season before retirement.

The 4-0 win over West Ham was a superb all-round team performance, but Matic was the heartbeat of United's eye-catching victory.
He broke up play superbly, got us moving up the pitch quickly, started counter-attacks at will and, perhaps most importantly, freed up Pogba to roam high up the pitch.

It was from Matic's parried effort that Lukaku got off the mark for United against Real, and the Serbian no.31 was again involved in the Belgian's opener against West Ham.

He was forward thinking, too, something he wasn't known for at Chelsea and it showed in his part for United's opener.

He won the ball high up the pitch, then bombed forward to give Marcus Rashford an overlap on the left when he played Lukaku in down the middle to score. 

Perhaps the most important role Matic will have is to allow £89m man Pogba the free licence to push forward without the responsibility of having to mop up defensively.

The Frenchman had arguably his best game in a United shirt against West Ham as he caused havoc in sync with United's front four with Matic as the shield behind them. 

Early days indeed but if he keeps this form going the former Chelsea man could represent a £40m steal.

Marouane Fellaini enhances his status as big game go to man

There were some sublime individual performances during the Super Cup tie in Skopje - notably  from Real's Isco, Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale.

For the Reds, debutant new signing Nemanja Matic looked perfectly at home in such exalted company and made a mockery of his apparent lack of match sharpness.

Yet, with United staring down the barrel of defeat, Marouane Fellaini was the man who changed the complexion of the game when he replaced Ander Herrera  midway through the second half. 

Often derided for his unconventional approach, Fellaini once more showed that he is a player for the big occasion with an impressive cameo from the bench that almost dragged United level. 

Romelu Lukaku, who spurned one gilt-edged opening before he later pulled a goal back, looked a more imposing threat with his compatriot Fellaini up alongside him.

The two powerful Belgians gave Real centre backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane different problems to think about.

Fellaini, immense throughout last season's Europa League triumph, helped set up the goal with his unstinting work rate, scrapping for a loose ball and doing what he does best.

He never gives anything up and tried bravely to meet a Matic cross, sustaining a nasty head injury in a collision with Ramos in the process.

It was a painful blow and took several minutes to patch him up, which paved the way for seven minutes of stoppage time.
Once he was on his feet again, he returned to the fray and continued to cause problems, at one point even turning away from Luka Modric with a chest trap and flick. 

He set up Marcus Rashford whose effort was saved by Keylor Navas and then called the shaky-looking Real keeper into further action with a header, as United pressed bravely - albeit ultimately in vain - to force extra-time.

The decision to turn to him with United on the ropes was derided by some fans, but he scored crucial goals in two cup semi finals last season and Jose knows the value of our no.27.

Booed after coming on as a sub at home to Spurs last season, Fellaini left the field with his name being sung in recognition of his efforts.

Fellaini may not be as glamorous or as stylish as some of his illustrious team mates, but he can upset any defence in the world and is a selfless team man. 

Despite the vast strength in depth available in United's midfield, the Belgian proved that he still has an important role to play and looks set to feature in a big way in the coming season. 

Reds set for toughest test of the season at Stamford Bridge

United's bid to successfully retain the FA Cup for the first time ever meets a major hurdle with a daunting last-eight trip to double-winners elect Chelsea.

The stage is set for a mouthwatering heavyweight contest between the country's two most in-form sides for a place at Wembley.

After winning the first major trophy of the season last month, the Reds have built an impressive run of one defeat in 28 matches in all competitions, that stretches back to October.

Our last meaningful defeat came at the hands of Monday's opponents as the Stamford Bridge side ruined Jose's first return with an emphatic 4-0 defeat.

A repeat of that scoreline looks unlikely, with United a much-improved outfit since then, but Chelsea have only lost once at home this term and are favourites for the domestic double. 

Without the demands of European football, Antonio Conte's side have managed to keep their squad fresh, focused and injury-free and the Blues hold an imposing record against us.

We've not beaten them in 11 attempts since 2012 when Robin Van Persie and Chicharito scored in a 3-2 win in west London during SAF's last season. 

That's a damning statistic that is sure to affect United psychologically and to make the task even harder, the absence of 26-goal Zlatan Ibrahimovic serves a major blow.

The Reds top scorer and talisman begins a three-match ban after he elbowed Bournemouth's Tyrone Mings during last weekend's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

That immediately gives Jose Mourinho a question to answer.

Wayne Rooney was rested for Rostov and could return, Anthony Martial may move into the middle or Marcus Rashford could get his chance up front. 

United have, at times, relied on Ibra's strength and firepower this season: his 26 goals in all competitions put him 17 ahead of our second top scorer Juan Mata.

His absence creates problems not just for his goal-scoring but also his aerial ability and influence on the rest of the team.
Zlatan is the inspirational figurehead and leader of the attack and his suspension will make life 
easier for Chelsea's back three.

Conte's switch to that system was widely regarded as the turning point of their season, with Tottenham the only team to beat them since.

Mourinho deployed a wing-back system in Russia to match Rostov's shape, and could utilise it again here to deal with the floating threats of Eden Hazard and Pedro. 

Whatever system and formation Jose uses, we can be sure that he will have a plan to derail his former club's seemingly unstoppable march to glory. 

Ander Herrera's evolution from outcast to indispensable

Ander Herrera has enjoyed a quietly impressive season to continue his rise from fringe player to one of the first names on the manager's team sheet.

Louis van Gaal never seemed convinced by Herrera's qualities and, perhaps because of his struggles to nail down a first team place, lacked conviction and consistency under the Dutch boss. 

The Basque midfielder was again one of United's best players against Watford and has developed into one of the most complete midfielders in the league.

Anthony Martial was voted man of the match with Juan Mata and Eric Bailly also excellent, but Herrera was immense again and doesn't get the recognition he deserves. 

Deployed alongside the world's most expensive player Paul Pogba, Herrera was instrumental in keeping United ticking and quietly pulled the strings from his deep-lying engine room role.

Mourinho appears to slowly be phasing Michael Carrick out of his team, and so Herrera has picked up the baton of our most important player. 

He intercepted wayward Watford passes, broke up attacks and moved the ball forward to set United moving.

Herrera always look to play the ball forward, and although it may not seem the most difficult thing in the world, it sets the tempo for the side.

Pogba may be a superb player in his own right, but his style contrasts vastly to that of the quietly efficient Herrera. 

The young Frenchman possesses more strings to his bow in terms of his passing range, power and physical ability but often tries the spectacular instead of keeping things simple.

There's one area of Herrera's game that needs work on: his finishing.

His goals-per-minute ratio under LVG was decent in his more advanced position but under Mourinho he's been utilised in a more withdrawn role and so does not push forward as much.

His long range efforts from distance invariably find the Stretford End but, if he keeps this level of performance up, we'll gloss over that. 

Herrera may not be the snarling, in-your-face, raging bull Roy-Keane esque leader that we perhaps associate with a United skipper, but he has all the credentials of a future captain. 

Softly spoken but yet not afraid of getting stuck in, Herrera speaks with a passionate love of the club and its fans rarely seen in a foreign export.

He has an understated ability to inspire those around him, is known as a vocal organiser both on the field and in the dressing room and only N'golo Kante can top him for work rate and energy. 

Mourinho repeated his mistakes against West Ham - but not with the sending off

At least Jose's United side isn't dull.

But we are about as repetitive as the same old jokes and tired gags dredged up on social media every time we fail to win a game.

There is only so much satisfaction to be taken from the upturn in style.

Referee Jon Moss was booed at half-time and again at full-time yet Jose cannot blame his influence for the latest addition to our Groundhog Day sequence. 

United have regressed and the momentum developed after the performance against Arsenal and result vs Feyenoord has significantly subsided - we needed to beat to West Ham to keep it going and be marked down as a credible Premier League force.

Mourinho repeated his mistakes - but not through his sending off. 

He will doubtless receive another touchline ban for the heinous destruction of an inanimate object when he should actually receive an apology from the pompous and self-important officials.

The biggest call he made at the weekend was to keep faith with his out-of-form front six, which spurned enough chances against Stoke and Burnley to be winning a season's worth of games.

The only player to score in those games, Anthony Martial, was sat in the stands. 

The same attacking line-up combined to topple champions Leicester, but that was almost three months ago and remains United's last home league win. 

Jesse Lingard did not have a fixed position, Marcus Rashford was short on confidence, wasteful in possession and is pining for a central role while Juan Mata was taken off too early.

Rashford's inclusion was questionable having not played for over two months while Lingard was preferred ahead of Mkhitaryan who so impressed again Feyenoord.

Both wasted excellent chances at 1-1 and Lingard's needless foul on Payet that led to their second minute opener suggested he had never noted the Frenchman's supreme dead ball ability. 

With Carrick injured, selecting Lingard as the second 'runner' alongside Paul Pogba was logical but Mourinho changed his position and switched him to the right. 

For a club synonymous with wingers, United's only natural width came from Antonio Valencia at right-back and we need more from the forwards than near-misses and energy. 

Putting Marouane Fellaini on to try and find a winner was like buying arrows while forgetting the bow. 

United have won only one of our five fixtures immediately following a Europa League tie and it was again noticeable that a number of players were struggling with cramp in the second half.

The strong selections in Europe have suggested that Mourinho is prioritising the competition ahead of the league, and has said that he sees the tournament as a realistic target.

There is plenty to appreciate but the repetitive nature of the season has become infuriating. 

Chopping and changing not helping the search for consistency

Oh Jose....

Three days after the impressive 4-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord, the manager made a mockery of that old adage: don't change a winning team.

Except, he did and this constant chopping and changing, of both shape and personnel, is hindering the team's search for a consistent run of form. 

There were six changes to that side against West Ham, including the demotion of Wayne Rooney and Henrikh Mkhitaryan who both dropped to the bench after excellent performances in that match.

Mkhitaryan was so good on Thursday that it seemed impossible for Jose to overlook him but his performance still wasn't considered good enough for Mourinho to start him against West Ham. 
He showed flashes of brilliance when he came on but should have been on from the beginning. 

Matteo Darmian, who again look suspect defensively and offered little going forward, was recalled at left-back, with Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford also brought into the team.

He also reverted from the 4-3-3 used to such good effect against Feyenoord back to the more ponderous 4-2-3-1 used against the Hammers and we again missed the influence of 35-year-old Michael Carrick.

He sat out the match with West Ham through a minor injury and his absence led to the surprise recall - completely out of the blue - of German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger. 

Mourinho's frequent chopping and changing was understandable and acceptable in the early months of his tenure.

He was still learning about his players, who should play where and tried different combinations to give his entire squad a chance to prove themselves - a natural process for any new manager. 

But, nearly four months into the season and there's no indication that Jose is any further forward to finding a settled side.

If the manager himself is inconsistent with his team selections, then how can the players be expected to follow suit in their performances.

But what is particularly strange is that Mourinho has made a success out of being decisive in his illustrious career.
When he won the league at Chelsea, consistency was his side's trademark and he operated with a core eleven players which he only changed in the event of injury or suspension. 

Tellingly, when we won the first four games of this season, we did so with an unchanged side. 

The tempo and intensity was considerably slower that it was against Feyenoord and there seemed little logic in Mourinho shuffling his pack to such an extent.

One change, factoring in Carrick's enforced absence, would have sufficed. 

Jose needs to decide on a settled side, and stick with it, if we are to be successful this season. 

Honours even at Anfield but United will go home happiest

While this deadlock does little for either teams respective ambitions, there is no doubt who will be the happier manager.

United have been up and down with Jose still trying to exert his own stamp on tactics and style of play but this was the most "Mourinho esque" performance of his short Old Trafford career so far. 

This was a display entirely in his image: disciplined, resolute, organised and hard-working. 

Mourinho will be criticised for "parking the bus", his crime seems to be a refusal to allow the hosts to play in a manner in which they could win but he came with a plan and carried it out to the letter. 

After all, I vividly remember Fergie adopting the exact same tactics for matches such as this and Mourinho will rightly point to the fact that we came away with a point - the first side to do so from Anfield this season - at a place plenty will leave empty handed.  

For a team still finding their feet and a formula under the Portuguese, to come away from Liverpool with a hard earned draw has to represent a good result. 

Jurgen Klopp's side have made a promising start to the season that has been built on the German's identikit: pressing opponents into submission with and without the ball, a high pressure style that has brought notable victories at Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as nine goals in two home wins against Leicester City and Hull. 

Mourinho got his team selection spot on: a powerful, strong, athletic side that he instructed to turn the tables on Liverpool's "gegenpressing" game. 
Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney were both consigned to the bench in favour of a big, physical line up designed to give us height and strength all over the pitch.  

The superb Ander Herrera was at the heart of our smothering gameplan, almost operating in the pockets of Brazilian duo Roberto Firmino and Coutinho in midfield- a bundle of energy as he pushed, probed and prodded, with Liverpool never given a second to breathe.

United stifled them and they simply could not find a way through.

We held our shape and discipline brilliantly, much to Mourinho's satisfaction, although we still needed those two superb saves from De Gea, and Valencia's inch perfect tackle on Firmino as he ran through on goal. 

It was classic, vintage Mourinho: a tactic he has perfected and utilised throughout his career, and Anfield's impatience and frustration would have been music to his ears.

Mourinho must learn from City defeat when United go to Anfield

Jose Mourinho seldom looked so relaxed in defeat: Pep Guardiola had beaten him for the eighth time but Jose was not going to subject himself to the torture of the Old Trafford derby defeat.

He came under further scrutiny following a third successive loss, at Watford eight days later, but he had begun to address his errors at Vicarage Road.

United are now settled in a 4-3-3 formation, rather than that early season 4-2-3-1, Wayne Rooney is a substitute and, in Ander Herrera, Mourinho has a more suitable holding midfielder than the immobile Marouane Fellaini.

There remains a risk in starting Herrera as Liverpool, like City, possess a fleet-footed and nimble forward line who move the ball quickly and there's a danger Herrera - like Fellaini in the derby - could be left isolated.

Paul Pogba lacked positional discipline and it was ironic that the much-maligned Rooney was the only player pressing City high up the pitch.
Pogba was branded 'a kid in the schoolyard' but, although he and Herrera combined superbly in the 4-1 win over Leicester, they face their first ultimate test at Anfield.

City's supremacy at Old Trafford last month was aided by the ease with which  they zipped the ball through our porous midfield and the 'route one' move for the opening goal began adjacent to City's own corner flag. 

Pogba and Juan Mata have started in front of Herrera in the last two games, but Mourinho - aware of the trio's defensive shortcomings - must strike a balance of securing midfield without blunting our attack. 
Mata has found his most influential role at United against opponents who play on the counter attack but Liverpool will not adopt that approach.

Against City, Herrera and Marcus Rashford came on at half-time which allowed Pogba and Fellaini to push forward, with Rooney shifted wide. 
The pressing- non existent in the first half- increased and Herrera's influence forced Guardiola introduce the defensive-minded Fernando.

Neither Michael Carrick nor Morgan Schneiderlin have the intensity or energy to match Herrera, and as a partnership last season both embodied the rigid and robotic unadventurous style of Louis van Gaal.
Both are fine players individually but an incompatible partnership. 

Mourinho might be tempted to go with one of them at Anfield, though. 

Carrick's vision and range of passing could be key if United adopt a counter-attacking game plan but the problem with Schneiderlin is his lack of game time having not started since the West Ham away game last season.

By shifting Herrera into an advanced role, he can combine with Valencia and - if selected-  Mata to double and triple up on somewhat makeshift left-back James Milner. 
In such these games there is no fixed formation and our shape will change depending on whether we have the ball or not.
Carrick has experience of playing a centre-half so can drop deep to complement the back line, enabling Valencia and either Luke Shaw or Daley Blind to offer width.

It will be just one in a series of fascinating tactical set-ups. 

How United can turn tables on Stoke with set-piece prowess

United can approach Sunday's encounter with Stoke City relishing any set-pieces rather than dreading them as has perhaps been the case in the past against the Potters.

Although Mark Hughes' side remain a threat in such situations, their style of play has evolved under the former United striker since the time when Rory Delap's long throw-ins would wreak havoc during Tony Pulis' time in charge.

United's renewed power and prowess from set-pieces came to the fore in last week's emphatic win over Leicester and the height and physical strength in the Reds ranks in already proving an asset.

Headers from early crosses into the box from wide areas has been a clearly defined tactic the Reds have utilised under Mourinho- largely to marvellous effect.

Under Louis van Gaal, United struggled both defensively and offensively from crosses and set-pieces when we had a 'small team' but the Reds look much more of a threat this term as we saw in last weekend's win against the champions. 

Chris Smalling scored a header from a corner against Leicester, Rashford's third and Pogba's header in the 4-1 win also came as a result of flag-kicks. 
United's last two goals- Pogba against the Foxes and Zlatan on Thursday have come via headers with the Swede's winner against Zorya our sixth headed goal of the campaign (Ibra also scored with his head against Southampton and Leicester in the Community Shield) and Wayne Rooney's goal at Bournemouth came in the same manner. 

The fact that match officials have clamped down on grappling inside the area- something that was noted in the aftermath of the Leicester win- could obviously contribute to more chances for attacking players from set-pieces. 

It has been suggested that the stricter rules governing shirt-pulling have proved to be the main factor why both Leicester and indeed Stoke have made disappointing starts to the season as defenders up and down the country come to terms with the increased scrutiny.

Despite Stoke sitting second bottom of the table- albeit only after six games- and without a win, Mourinho has stressed that he believes the Potters are in a false position. 
Nevertheless, there will be renewed optimism when United gain a dangerous set-piece, knowing that we have the players to make a difference in those situations.
The height of the side the boss has assembled has been one of the early identikits under Jose  and could be something to watch out for this term. 

Watford 3-1 United: We lacked width, a playmaker, and a plan.

For a team with some of the best players in Europe, United's performance at Vicarage Road was nowhere near the level expected. 

Watford deserve credit, of course, for breaking play up and giving a good performance themselves- but United were just not at it for long periods. 

They did not look like there was a gameplan when they came forward and despite the presence of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and first half substitute Ashley Young, we lacked width because that trio were all coming inside.

That's a good tactic if the opposition are leaving space there, but Watford didn't, they were clogging up the middle of the pitch and leaving the wide areas free.

The Hornets were playing an imbalanced version of a 4-4-2 when they had the ball that became a 4-5-1 when United were in possession.

Odion Ighalo would end up wide on the left, although he did not track back so Antonio Valencia had lots of space. 
Valencia was usually picking the ball up and running from deep so it meant that the Watford left-back Jose Holebas had time to get across and cover.

If Rashford was out there, United would have had a two-versus-one situation out on the right because Ighalo did not track back but instead Valencia looked up and saw that everyone had moved inside.

United really needed their wide men to stay high and wide because by cutting in so early they were no help to their full-backs or anyone else.

That meant there was less space for Rooney or Pogba who had nowhere to go and it became easy for Watford to defend against because the United players were all occupying the same areas of the pitch.

In recent years, we've always had someone who can open up the opponents from a deeper position- be it Michael Carrick,  Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs when he played centrally. 

With a target man in the mould of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and runners like Rashford, this side have plenty of talents to benefit from such a playmaker but at Watford we did not have a midfielder with the required passing range.

Pogba has many strengths but is not much of a ball player, he is better when running on to things and taking people on.
Marouane Fellaini is quite disciplined and does not go wandering too much, he helped his centre-halves and kept the ball well but when you play for United you ideally need more than that.

With what he can offer and the way the game was going I was amazed that Carrick did not feature at any point as he makes things happen and instigates attacks.

It should not be panic stations at Old Trafford because there is plenty of talent and quality in the squad but it just so happens that City have hit the ground running whilst United have endured something of a bad spell.

But it is a long season and everyone is going to have a wobble at some point- even City. 

United's aerial power will be key to unsettling new look City

This Manchester derby will not define the season for either United or City but it is a chance for both sides- and the managers- to show they are a force to be reckoned with.

It is already clear that both will be in the mix for the title and both will want to put down a marker and make a statement of intent.

What adds even more spice to an already highly-charged occasion is that Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola both go into their much-anticipated first meeting in England with 100% records having each won their opening three matches.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Nolito or possibly even a rejuvenated Raheem Sterling could lead City's attack in place of the suspended Sergio Aguero but Guardiola has some other big calls to decide upon.

New goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has played in plenty of big games for Barcelona and Chile but has hardly trained and is lacking match fitness so it would be a gamble to hand him a debut in the cauldron of an Old Trafford derby.

The height and power of Zlatan Ibrahimovic will make this a big test for City's entire defence not just their goalkeeper.

United under Mourinho get the ball into the box far quicker and far more often that we were doing last season.
The reason for this is the aerial threat that we possess- not just through Ibrahimovic but also the physical prowess of Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini.
We will play the same way against City- looking to get the ball out wide and then crossing it into the box for someone to get a head on it.

Ibrahimovic has done that to perfection so far, he's great at reading the cross and timing his jump above the defence and his marker while  his power and accuracy does the rest.

The clamour for Mourinho to include in-form Marcus Rashford from the start has been growing after his debut hat-trick for the England Under 21s but, with everyone fit for Saturday, it would not surprise me if Mourinho retains him for the role of impact sub.

That first start is not far away but I don't think Mourinho will feel there's any need to change his line-up but Rashford has kept scoring and it's getting harder and harder to leave him out. 

Mourinho's United side will be quite content to sit back and try to hit City on the break and if City keep pushing their full-backs up to flood midfield then they might be open to the quick counter-attack.

We know what we're going to do when we push forward - put those balls into the box with pace - but we don't know yet if City will be able to deal with it.

Why United have edge over City in biggest derby for years

In 2011, Vincent Kompany scored what could be considered a title-winning goal in the Manchester derby in a 1-0 win.

Since then, the derby has not felt as heated or as decisive with the fate of the Premier League title not significantly resting on its outcome.

After derbies with two passive managers in Manuel Pellegrini and Louis van Gaal manning the dugouts, both sets of supporters find themselves with two of the most sought after bosses in the game in Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

Both are serial winners and are in charge of the two Premier League favourites for the championship crown, so a contest in which one can gain an early three-point advantage - on top of the existing hostilities - is absolutely pivotal.

City have scored the most goals in the league so far but United, unsurprisingly for a Mourinho team, boast the best defensive record so a superbly balanced contest should await us. 

Daley Blind is starting to hear praise from fans and media alike after being an under-rated gem for us in a now prolonged period.
He has formed a very impressive centre-back pairing with Eric Bailly who has started life in England outstandingly with man of the match showings in all but one of his games.
What Blind lacks in power, pace and strength, Bailly makes up for and the historically rash and reckless Ivorian is compensated for by the composure and coolness of the Dutchman.

It's a perfectly harmonised defensive pairing.

United should be confident in those two, alongside in-form full backs Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia in nullifying City's attacking exploits.

In a match that was billed as a battle of the world class strikers, one side losing their key forward is a blow to their chances.

As usual, Argentinian Aguero is already City's top scorer this season and, with Kelechi Iheanacho as their only other option, it will be intriguing to see what Pep Guardiola does without his main goal threat.

Perhaps he could experiment with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Nolito and Raheem Sterling as a 'false nine' meaning the United defence will have less of a focal point to deal with.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a difference maker on his own so the three aforementioned names won't strike too much fear into a typically solid and blossoming Mourinho defensive unit. 

In a contest this tightly matched, the midfield is usually where the match is won or lost.
One bamboozling run, one piece of magic to unlock a defence or perhaps in turn one key lapse in concentration from a defensive standpoint could prove key.

With a 4-2-3-1 vs 4-1-4-1, it's one going to be one five-man midfield against another.

If Guardiola does continue with the system, Mourinho's men could have the edge.

Fernandinho has been deployed as a lone holding midfielder with two creative players in front not renowned for upholding defensive duties in David Silva and de Bruyne.

For us, the guile, trickery and lung-busting energy of Paul Pogba has been somewhat surprisingly complimented by a powerfully, tactically disciplined and reborn Maroaune Fellaini.

United's midfield axis has the ability to counteract the impact of City's mesmeric passing with Fellaini and the ability to propel the team forward on the counter with Pogba.
The stark difference in height, power and physicality could prove the difference in a game which needs quick turnovers in possession and legs to drive the team forward. 

If we see the defensive assuredness and attacking fluidity we've already enjoyed this season, then we could see Jose and the Reds put down a marker and show why we won't settle for anything less than top spot this term. 

Paul Pogba: How does he fit into Mourinho's plan?

Paul Pogba's talent has been in evidence for years- that was why the Reds signed him from Le Havre in 2009 when he had already captained France's Under 16 team.

Now 23, he has a tendency to drift in and out of matches - he was not a consistent perfomer at Euro 2016 and did not appear to relish the deeper role given to him by coach Didier Deschamps when France lost to Portugal in the final.

Pogba is not the finished article but the promise United first identified seven years ago is showing signs of being fulfilled, more than enough to persuade the club to potentially pay such a massive fee.

It is tempting to say that if a club spend going on £100 million on a single player, the system fits around him, not the other way round, but modern football does not usually work like that.

Even the best players can struggle without a structure or if they are played out of position.

It is still a source of bewilderment to staff at United as to why Angel Di Maria was so chronically alienated by former manager Van Gaal.

The previous record signing at £59.7 million was used as a holding midfielder or wing-back by the bizarre Dutchman having begun his Old Trafford career with three goals and three assists from his favoured offensive position.

Pogba is a rarity in the modern game in that he is capable of both attack and defence, he is quick, has energy and can tackle.
Though not a prolific scorer, his average of one goal every five games suggests he will be an attacking threat.

In short, he is the kind of player United have lacked since Roy Keane left in 2005 but without the fiery temper.
Mourinho will surely put him in the centre of his midfield and set his side up from there. 

Wayne Rooney, for all his attributes, is no speed merchant.

Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Memphis Depay definitely are, making them better suited to wide positions.
If the plan is to play Henrikh Mkhitaryan wide, or deeper in midfield, there is an obvious place in the side for Rooney at number 10. 

But is that going to get the best out of the talented Armenian? Mourinho likes his central midfield to contain aggressive, athletic players such as Claude Makelele and Michael Essien in his first stint at Chelsea.

Pogba is in that mould. 

Morgan Schneiderlin and Daley Blind could work effectively alongside him.
If that happens, the uncertainty over Rooney will persist. 

That the questions and doubts are so numerous come as a result of both our fifth-placed finish and the often awful performances that contributed to it.

Until they wake from the post-Ferguson slumber, the minutely forensic analysis of United and our players will go on.

Martial a doubt for West Ham trip but others can step up

United could be without Anthony Martial against West Ham on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old Frenchman limped out of the warm up before the 1-0 win at Norwich at the weekend with a tight hamstring and is now a doubt for the Upton Park trip.

It would be a blow: we need to win our final two games of the season to be sure of a place in the top four and a place in next season's Champions League.

It will be a difficult enough task for Louis van Gaal's side but there are plenty of options if Martial isn't passed fit.

Martial has been playing on the left of a front three but would have played as the striker at Carrow Road if he hadn't pulled up in the warm up.
Memphis got the nod on the left wing but didn't take his chance.

He'll be lucky to keep his place but he remains the most natural choice.

When Martial missed the matches against Midtjylland and Arsenal in February, the 22-year-old filled in on the left and had two good games.

Adnan Januzaj hasn't played for the first team since coming as a late sub in that match against the Gunners.

He played 45 minutes for the Under 21s on Friday and was on the bench at Norwich less than 24 hours later.
He would have come on if Van Gaal hadn't- bizarrely- changed his mind twice.

He played as the no.10 when he was in the team in August but has played largely on the left plenty of times before.
However, Van Gaal did hint after the weekend win that Januzaj was not fit enough to start in Martial's absence having made only two substitute appearances since returning from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.

Marcus Rashford was rested at Norwich but should return to the team at Upton Park.

Van Gaal has flirted with playing the 18 year old wide and he's done the job for the Under 21s this season.

It remains as a striker that he's had the biggest impact.

It's possible that Van Gaal will move Rashford to the left and play Wayne Rooney up front with Ander Herrera keeping his place in midfield.

It would give LVG the pace he wants in the wide positions and Rooney scored seven in nine as the main centre forward before his knee injury in January.

How United could line up at Upton Park in the possible absence of Tony Martial