Mourinho making similar mistakes at United that led to his downfall at Chelsea

In the latter stages of his second spell at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho looked forlorn. His us-against-the-world-mentality was finally feeling too much to handle. He had run the race at Chelsea, and single-handedly, he had almost destroyed the legacy he worked hard to build. In 16 ill-fated matches in the Premier League, the defending champions had already lost 9 times, in what was the worst defence of a Premier League title by the previous winners. The top players, who had performed so exceptionally well the season they won the league were atrocious, and it was hard to fathom what could have gone wrong in the spate of just seven months.

The Blues lost just four matches in all competitions, an English season record as they sauntered to the league title with the likes of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard. Mourinho left with his tails between his legs as he spectacularly fell out with his players, questioned the staff and repeatedly complained to the authorities about referees. He is now the Manchester United manager, and after a brilliant start to life at Old Trafford, the groans and now familiar scenes of discontent are starting to creep in. He has already alienated some players already. The likes of Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Daley Blind and a host of others have already felt the sting of the Portuguese’s famous public criticism. After a while, the players start losing confidence, and this may be crucial in the dressing room.

Manchester United, over the years have been a model club in terms of PR. In appointing Mourinho, United risked being hated by neutrals as Mourinho would bring up conspiracy theories, talk against authorities. Yet, in previous clubs, results have always overshadowed these “moments”.

At Chelsea, he questioned the medical team and, most infamously, fell out with Eva Carneiro, which ultimately led to a major fallout with his players, many of which were impressed by the doctor’s handling of their injury concerns. By criticizing Smalling and Shaw recently about lying about their injuries, he risks falling into the same boat with the United medical team, many of which have been working with these players for years.

No one knows what has gone wrong with Mourinho. In his early managerial career, he built a very close relationship with his players. He has been reported to leave training ground routines to trusted assistant, Rui Faria, a move which the top players at the club are baffled at. The same mistakes he made at Chelsea, are starting to manifest again at Old Trafford and the consequences may be damning.