“I think the criticism will be saved until the end of the season if results in big away games don’t improve and it costs Manchester United the title.”
Jamie Carragher has been reflecting on Liverpool’s goalless draw with Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday, a match many have tried to erase from their memory since the final whistle. The game between England’s most successful clubs was a complete non-event, devoid of any notable incidents or attacking intent from the away team.
Liverpool played with the handbrake on and Mourinho set up United to escape with a point. Against a team leaking goals, the United manager didn’t risk his side crossing the half-way line. The team with the third worst defensive record in the Premier League were treated like Barcelona at their best, and a stalemate was inevitable.
People who are saying Jose Mourinho was "pragmatic" against Liverpool have it all wrong https://t.co/NeiAeFJfNp
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 15, 2017
United’s approach, or rather the approach Mourinho instructed his team to take, raise questions about how they can expect to win the league playing against their rivals in such a way. If this is how the United manager sets up his team for a match against Liverpool, how will they play against Manchester City?
Carragher said as much in his analysis on Monday Night Football. The former Liverpool defender said that he has no issue with Mourinho’s defensive tactics, but questioned their title chances if the United manager persists with his current approach to big matches. He also highlighted Mourinho’s poor record against top six teams over the past two years.
“First of all, I should say I had no problem whatsoever with what Jose Mourinho did,” the former Liverpool defender said.
“He’s always done it and I expected it before the game. Jurgen Klopp said afterwards that Liverpool could never play like that; well maybe his Liverpool could never play like that, but my Liverpool did and we did it plenty of times and got results on the back of it. I think the criticism will be saved until the end of the season if results in big away games don’t improve and it costs Manchester United the title.”
“His way, of late, is not working,” Carragher continued, before saying that there are now more big games for title challengers, as the “top four” has become the “top six” in recent seasons.
“I go back to when Peter Schmeichel was winning titles with Manchester United and they possibly had six big games – Liverpool home and away, Arsenal home and away and someone else challenging, whether it was Chelsea or Newcastle. That’s 18 points. With the top six now that’s 30 points. That’s a big part of the season. You’ve got 10 games home and away. If that doesn’t improve they won’t win the league and that’s when the criticism will come.”
In the past, Alex Ferguson’s United sides were pragmatic in big games, often playing on the counter attack. But he never nullified the opposition at the expense of his own team’s talents as the current United manager does.
Carragher’s right, Mourinho’s approach will have to change, or they won’t stop City from winning the title.
You can watch Carragher’s analysis here:
.@Carra23 has no problems with Mourinho's defensive displays, but says his results against the top sides could cost #MUFC the title. #MNF pic.twitter.com/lXLE5stTkM
— Sky Sports Retro (@SkySportsRetro) October 16, 2017
