Jose Mourinho’s mistakes are starting to catch up with him – as fans take pop at Manchester United players on social media

SOME United fans took to social media to criticise the players after the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

But it’s the manager who should be held accountable for the latest setback, and Jose Mourinho’s mistakes are starting to catch up with him.

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There were murmurings of discontent in the summer from Mourinho, who used several press conferences to highlight Ed Woodward’s failure to make that fourth summer signing –  thought to be Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.

Don’t feel too sorry for him though, because across two summer transfers windows, Mourinho has signed seven out of his eight transfer targets which is not a bad success rate from United’s executive vice-chairman.

And ask yourself; is there a manager in the world that repeatedly signs every player on his wish list?

There aren’t many managers who have the luxury of compiling a transfer wish list in the first place, with many having to make do with what they are given.

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So, the problem was not Woodward’s failure to sign Perisic, but Mourinho’s excuse making before the campaign got underway.

How many times would Sir Alex Ferguson publicly vent his frustration at David Gill’s failure to sign all his targets?

Behind closed doors it might have been a different matter.

Was there also an alternative out there? A cheaper, younger option, rather than putting all his eggs in the Perisic basket?

Mo Salah for example, who Mourinho knows all too well, joined Liverpool for £10million less than the reported £45million Inter were demanding for Perisic.

Aside from that, there’s his bizarre living arrangements, remarks about PSG and the ongoing issue surrounding Romelu Lukaku.

LU DONE IT? Manchester United ace Romelu Lukaku reportedly ‘threw bottle’ at Mikel Arteta leaving him bleeding from the face during Old Trafford tunnel bust-up

The issue has been bubbling away since Mourinho’s comments in October, when surprisingly, he suggested that the striker wasn’t given enough support by sections of the United fans.

The truth is, the Belgian is toiling in front of goal, having scored just twice in his last 14 matches.

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Lukaku will take heart from his managers display of support, but in all honesty, he should have been removed from the firing line two or three games ago.

It now looks like the strain of being a United striker is weighing him down, and more than anything, it would appear that he needs a mental breather, rather than a physical one.

The lack of creativity behind Lukaku is another conundrum.

It means that when he does get a chance, like the one Ederson saved with his head in the latter stages, the pressure and scrutiny on him intensifies.

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Are there shortcomings in Lukaku’s game?

Absolutely, but his manager probably hasn’t helped and it’s a tactical issue that must be solved.

Mourinho had a far stronger starting XI when he was in charge of Real Madrid, but eventually found a way to get the better of Pep Guardiola and Barcelona.

Does he have the stomach for a new fight?

Parking the bus at Anfield against Liverpool isn’t great, but it got a point.

Playing like the away team at Old Trafford against City when you’re looking to put a marker down and claw them back in the title race is unacceptable.