FOR several weeks now it has appeared a matter of when, not if, Jose Mourinho will take charge at Manchester United.
The former Chelsea boss has made no secret of the fact he wants the top job at Old Trafford and, despite a comfortable 3-0 victory over League One Shrewsbury in the fifth round of the FA Cup, present incumbent Louis van Gaal looks certain to be replaced before the start of next season after a miserable time in charge.
But fresh reports suggest Mourinho may be left disappointed, with influential figures at United opposed to his appointment.
As Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst reports: “Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson and even David Gill don’t appear to want Jose Mourinho to become the next Manchester United manager for reasons only known to themselves.
“There’s an awful lot of cheerleading still going on for Ryan Giggs which a lot of Manchester United fans find baffling.”
While United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward ultimately has the final say on the hiring and firing at the club, Charlton and Ferguson still wield a huge influence and to go against their wishes would potentially create a divisive split.
But, given their current situation on the pitch, can the Red Devils afford not to appoint Mourinho? Having already missed out on former targets Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola there aren’t a great deal of options currently available.
Mourinho may not bring a return of the free-flowing, attacking football United fans have become accustomed to – and demand – and his personality may not appeal to everyone but he will provide an upturn in results.
Giggs appeared the natural successor to Ferguson and was certainly many fans’ preferred long-term choice when the Scot called it a day back in 2103. However, given the way things have gone since, appointing Giggs now would be a massive risk – and we think the supporters realise that.
True, Giggs played his entire club career under Ferguson and would have picked up an awful lot from arguably the greatest manager the game has seen. True, he knows the club inside-out and he knows and appreciates ‘the United way’ and the ‘obligation’ to entertain the fans and meet their expectations. But, aside from a handful of games as caretaker manager following the sacking of David Moyes, Giggs has zero experience as a manager.
Had he been appointed as permanent boss at the time of Moyes’ exit, no doubt United fans would have been delighted. But we feel they now recognise the need for an experienced and proven man to come in and right the ship. United, as appealing and romantic as it sounds, can’t afford to take the risk with Giggs.
What do United fans think? Is Mourinho the man for you or is it time to give Giggs a chance?
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Cathal P Forde
Feb 24, 2016 at 1:19 am
I know and appreciate that Jose is a winner, an almost certain guarantee for trophies but his record on bringing young players through worries me. Add to that the fact that he will almost certainly get rid of Juan Mata, a firm fans favourite makes me doubt him plus Chelsea’s implosion with him at the reigns also brings into question whether we would be better off without hin
Lanre Olabode
Feb 24, 2016 at 3:34 am
Has mata done any great things for MAN .U?
R.Marshall
Feb 24, 2016 at 5:38 am
I agree with you about the implosion at Chelsea and it is very worrying,I also don’t think giggsy is ready yet .so the million dollar question is who will be suitable to take over at United ?? Mark Hughes maybe
emma evwro
Feb 24, 2016 at 6:09 am
mourinho is one of d best and I think man u need d best to remained at d top,give him d key and let’s c hw he can open d door
emma evwro
Feb 24, 2016 at 6:12 am
we need mourinho nw