Jose Mourinho isn’t exactly a man known for his sentimentality.
The Manchester United manager has a strict idea of how he wants his team to play, and anybody who doesn’t fit that philosophy will find themselves gone – just ask Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne or Juan Mata while the Portuguese was at Chelsea.
Generally Mourinho likes to have specialists for each position and wants those specialists at the peak of their game – anybody who doesn’t find themselves in those categories can expect to be sold.
With the Red Devils currently languishing in eighth after a disappointing start to the season, though it is unlikely that Mourinho will be the one to suffer the consequences if things fail to improve.
The Portuguese was hired to bring success back to Old Trafford and will probably be afforded the time to do so and shape the squad in his own image.
Our landlord here at the Transfer Tavern thinks he should start by giving these THREE players the chop in January…
MATTEO DARMIAN
Despite a promising start to his Manchester United career, Matteo Darmian fell out of favour under Louis Van Gaal and has failed to force himself into Jose Mourinho’s plans.
Antonio Valencia has performed admirably this season and is the undisputed first-choice, while youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah looks like the man with the potential to battle him rather than the Italian.
Mourinho would be wise to cash in on the Italian and give his spot to a homegrown player rather than plough expensive wages on another player in their prime.
PHIL JONES
When Phil Jones signed from Blackburn Rovers in 2011, he was touted by many in the Tavern to become one of the league’s leading centre-backs.
It is difficult to believe he was seen as better than Chris Smalling, who was signed at roughly the same time as Jones and has gone on to become arguably their best defender over the last few seasons.
Jones meanwhile has struggled with injuries and form since arriving at Old Trafford and while he still has time to improve at only 24-years-old, the defender has never shown enough to suggest he is United quality even if he does put his fitness issues behind him.
MAROUANE FELLAINI
People are very quick to say that Marouane Fellaini is a poor player, but the truth is, he just isn’t in the right environment.
The Belgian is physically imposing and a great battler while he can also pose a goal threat – 11 goals in the 2012/13 season for Everton was testament enough to that.
The 28-year-old is lacking in the technical side of the game though and doesn’t fit the characteristics a top-four players needs to have.
Mourinho would be better off shipping Fellaini off to a team that will play to his strengths and find a player the club actually need.
