JOSE MOURINHO will always be a manager who divides opinion like no other — even within his own club.
When I look at his Manchester United team in the tunnel, I would put them up against any side in the country.
The problem comes when they step on the pitch, because the football they deliver is rarely on a par with the talent in the ranks.
Too safe, too shackled and at times too scared — and Jose is to blame.
I’ve nothing against him, I quite like the guy. But at times Old Trafford does seem like an awkward fit.
There are some clubs where YOU have to adapt, as much as you may want it to be the other way around.
At Porto, Jose could shape them as he liked because they were hardly awash with major honours.
When he was at Chelsea first time round it was the same story.
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Even at Inter Milan his reputation and standing were on a par with the Italians’ — as big as it was — and he laid down the rules.
But there are some places where things have to be done a certain way.
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Expectations, standards and past glories demand it.
That was the case at Real Madrid, where Jose found the club was bigger than him and he had to adapt.
And it is the same story at United.
Of course, he could build his own team but he couldn’t mould the club to his personality. I’m not saying United are as huge as Real in terms of success but their name is known worldwide.
Neither set of fans, or those within the club, will accept their team playing dull, safety-first football.
But that’s what United supporters have been watching all year.
And it was the same in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Take Marcus Rashford. Eighteen months ago you could have put him in against Real or Barcelona and he’d have been outstanding, playing with flair and without fear.
Now he looks like a kid fresh out of the Academy who is desperately trying to impress. Anything, in fact, but the English jewel we’d unearthed who could take the World Cup by storm.
There has also been friction with Paul Pogba, who should be given the licence to take games by the scruff of the neck.
While poor old Luke Shaw needs an arm around the shoulder, not a constant stream of digs.
And for Jose to claim after the Cup final that United were the best side was just wrong. You can’t tell people the opposite to what they’ve just watched.
United fans will accept defeats if the team has gone down fighting and entertained them.
Right now they’re not seeing that.
Unless things change — and by that I mean Jose’s approach — then their patience will only stretch so far.
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No Conte Backers
IT WASN’T so much what was said after the Cup win but what wasn’t said that revealed so much.
With the uncertainty over Antonio Conte’s future, it was a perfect time for someone to back the boss — but there was nothing.
The man I saw on the Wembley touchline was the old Conte, bouncing around and kicking every ball.
Whether it was the occasion or the opponent he was back. But we’ve not seen it too much this season. It has been toys out of the pram, gripes and grievances.
Whatever Conte feels about money to sign players, he should have kept it close to his chest.
His main focus should have been getting the best out of his squad — the sulks seep through to players and we’ve seen how that tends to end.
Grinning Formula
WEST HAM’S owners have never been shy when it comes to making bold statements about their intentions.
When they moved into the new stadium, they were promising fans the signings would follow to take them to the next level. Well those supporters are still waiting.
If former Manchester City chief Manuel Pellegrini is the next boss, they will have someone with Premier League experience and a habit of winning.
Now they have to bring in the players.
Those terrible scenes with fans turning on the owners were the actions of supporters at the end of their tether. They don’t expect to win the title but they DO expect entertainment.
It is going to be a massive summer for those Hammers owners.
THERE is no reason why Liverpool can’t conquer Europe for a sixth time — not with Mo Salah enjoying the season of his life.
It won’t be easy but sometimes you feel it is written in the stars.
I AM getting more excited by the day about the World Cup. England are not favourites and we will need THREE men to emerge as genuine world-class talents to have a chance.
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