Manchester United fans are paying price of club's failure to back Jose Mourinho

Ander Herrera’s surprise starting position against Tottenham highlighted manager’s desire to change style

Jose Mourinho was desperate to bring in a top-class centre-back this summer to play the expansive football Manchester United fans are craving.

Mourinho wanted more licence to deploy a three-man defence with wing-backs pushed high up pitch, as seen in United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham last week.

For all the criticism the United manager received after his erratic outburst following that wounding loss, it is generally accepted his side produced some of their most progressive football under him in the first 45 minutes.

It was a system Mourinho hoped to be able to kick off the season with, having trialled it over the summer.

But a ball-playing centre-back was seen as key to such a dramatic shift in tactics, which is why Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld were coveted.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

Mourinho’s decision to use Ander Herrera as a makeshift defender against Spurs was evidence of his desire still to utilise that formation, and the lack of faith he has in his existing selection of centre-backs to effectively deploy it.

Having been accused of tactical rigidity in his time at Old Trafford, Mourinho sprung a surprise by switching Herrera’s role.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

The Portuguese manager was particularly encouraged by the manner in which Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia pinned back Spurs’ own rampaging full-backs Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose, as well as the number of errors Mauricio Pochettino’s players were forced into making.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

He was also heartened by the response of supporters, which has been crucial during the most torrid period of his United reign.

Notably it was a sign of him acknowledging critiques of his two years in charge, which provided tangible progress on the pitch, but lacked the flair or imagination associated with the club’s finest teams.

Which is why he was so frustrated to be denied the type of player he saw as key to effecting change - and why he will continue to pursue an authoritative, cultured defender over the next two transfer windows.

A defender who can work alongside Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, who were both signed with a view to developing their talents, rather than providing an instant fix.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

There have been further signs of Mourinho’s plans to add a more creative element to his team.

The signing of Brazilian international Fred was designed to improve the imagination of United’s midfield.

A player initially targeted by Pep Guardiola, he is in stark contrast to the more physical presences Mourinho often turns to in the form of Nemanja Matic and Marouane Fellaini.

Andreas Pereira is another with the potential to add flair, who Mourinho has made a point of welcoming into his first-team squad this season.

It was notable, too, that even when reverting to a back four with Fellaini sitting in front of central defensive pairing Lindelof and Chris Smalling against Burnley, Mourinho still sent out a team with attacking intent.

Again it was appreciated by fans, who came out in support of him as they protested against Ed Woodward’s running of the club.

Like Mourinho, they see this summer as an opportunity missed.

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