What if Manchester United lose to Northampton?
What a difference a week makes in football. Before last Saturdays derby, Manchester United and Jose Mourinho were riding high. 4 wins from 4 games had fans believing again. A world record signing and a legendary goalscorer were added to the squad. A manager with a proven record both domestic and continental championships under his belt. The future seemed bright.
Manchester United were outplayed for the opening 40 minutes in the derby. This was enough for City to hold on to the win and hand Jose Mourinho his first defeat as manager of the red devils.
4 days later a weakened side took an unlucky defeat in the Euro cup away to Feyenoord to hand him his second. In fairness the goal should not have stood as it was clearly offside.
Then came the humbling defeat away to Watford in the premier league. There really is no way to dress this one up, Manchester United were just poor. Jose Mourinho may have been quick to pass the blame around and make excuses. But there is no excuse for us losing to Watford.
A league cup game goes from irrelevant to must win
Jose Mourinho has never lost 4 straight games with any club through his entire career. I’m sure if you asked him 10 days ago how much he valued todays EFL fixture away to Northampton Town he may very well have chuckled.
This is no longer the case. What is traditionally a chance to see the youngsters get 1st team action has somehow become a critical match for “The Special One’.
Manchester United really need to win this game, and win convincingly. This is not an opportunity for the youth team to get a run out. Jose Mourinho has to field a strong team.
Players such as Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and Paul Pogba are in desperate need of some confidence building. Rooney for one, needs to bag a few goals and prove that he still has the chops to captain this side.
Should Manchester United be worried about Northampton Town?
AT any other time, the obvious answer here is no. But this is not any other time. This is Manchester United looking very shaky and nervous. The Vultures and haters are clearing their throats, almost foaming at the mouth in their excitement and anticipation to scream “CRISIS!”
Northampton town are a very stubborn team. The League 1 side tend to grind out more draws than wins. Though they have not lost a home game in quite some time.
This will be their biggest game of the season. Make no mistake if Manchester United do not show up at play to their best, Northampton Town could snatch a result.
So what would it mean to lose this match?
If the unthinkable happens and Jose Mourinho’s men go out today and get beaten, then the crisis screams will have to be listened to.
I am not saying that Jose Mourinho has to worry about his job. But following his very ill thought out public attack of his players, a loss will further anger the fans and alienate the Portuguese manager.
The big question will of course be his tactics. Manchester United as a combined unit have statistically run less this year than any other team in the premier league.
To fully grasp the severity of that let me put it another way. David Moyes’ Sunderland have covered more distance on the pitch!!
There was only one way down for David Moyes (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United face champions Leicester City on Saturday who are full of confidence following their first Champions League victory.
So a strong starting 11 and a convincing win today for Manchester United is vital for the teams overall confidence and attitude.
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