Five reasons Manchester United have not named Jose Mourinho as their new boss yet1: The United board is still not convinced
Jose Mourinho’s CV promises success — and United as a club are desperate to get back to the top after three years as also rans in the Premier League. But while there is a hunger for tophies, there is still a feeling within the heirachy that Mourinho’s reputation for causing trouble does not sit well with United’s image. Some still need convincing he is the right man to manage the club.
2: Marcus Rashford
United pride themselves on their reputation for developing home grown players — and the impact 18-year-old Rashford has made over the past month has shown there is potential in the Old Trafford youth system. But Mourinho has never embraced nurturing young talent, preferring to sign ready made players in the pursuit of success. And Rashford’s success has added to the fears such chances will never be given to players coming through the ranks if Mourinho was in charge. 3: United come up trumps when the pressure is on
Just when one more defeat would surely spell the end for Louis van Gaal, the side comes up trumps and keeps the season alive. LVG has been on the brink of the sack several times on the back of miserable defeats, but he has responded by leading his side to a desperately needed win when the chips were really down — such as Sunday’s 1-0 win over Manchester City. 4: The top four is still within reach
City and Arsenal’s alarming slump in form has kept alive United’s hopes of finishing in the top four — and now a Champions League place is within reach. Qualifying for Europe next season was the minimum expected of Van Gaal at the start of the season, and he can still deliver that by seeing off City andWest Ham in the run-in to the season. Had United been completely out of touch, it would have given the club an excuse to sack the Dutchman. Now there is no excuse.
5: Ed Woodward remains close to LVG
Executive vice-chairman Woodward has forged a close personal relationship with Van Gaal — to the point the pair regularly socialise together with their wives. Woodward has been desperate to avoid parting company with a man who has become a friend, and that support has been vital to keep him in a job when others would have swung the axe.
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