United grasping at straws

Manchester United started the season on an impressive note with dominant performances and the goals to boot, but recently the Red Devils’ form has dipped. United are without a win in three matches in all competitions and subsequently have fallen behind Manchester City, in the league, who now enjoy a 15-point lead at the top of the table.

The Red Devils dropped points to a last minute Harry McGuire goal, and then were nearly stunned by Burnley when the Clarets had a 2-0 halftime lead at Old Trafford, this prompted a response from United where Jesse Lingard bagged a brace securing a point for the hosts.

In the aftermath of the result an unhappy Jose Mourinho bemoaned his team’s recent performances and attributed their recent loss of form to his side not doing enough business during the transfer window compared to their neighbours. Manchester City’s £221 million compared to United’s £145.8 spent during the window is indeed larger, but what Mourinho may have failed to note is that Chelsea spent close to £10 million more than United but sit joint second with his side and have mostly been playing catchup.

Everton’s spending spree was just a bit more than United’s, however the Toffees have been poor for the most part of the season up until recently. Mourinho also bemoaned how the transfer window was “unfair” towards United and hence why his side hasn’t been up to standard recently, which is surprising as the money spent and the fairness of the window weren’t a problem before.

Truthfully speaking, Manchester United aren’t dropping points because of the lower amounts spent in the window but because United haven’t been playing with any conviction lately. United lost the Manchester derby at home in a game where they were dominated by the league’s best side partly due to United not letting go of the handbrake considering all of the attacking talent on their roster.

That loss may have have brought on a psychological knock on United and thus why they have bagged only eight points out of a possible 15. Mourinho’s attempt to downplay United’s recent run of results coming down to spending power and a bias towards United in the transfer market confirmed two things: he and United have lost the mental edge and losers will always make excuses for their shortfalls.