Jose Mourinho has jumped into the unknown at Old Trafford. He’s taken on a locker room, which if it starts the season as we see now, is unlike anything the Special One has managed.
The one constant (okay, we all know it’s more than one; it’s about the drama!) throughout Mourinho’s career has been his reliance on an experienced, battle-hardened centre-half. The type of defender this current United squad simply does not boast.
At Porto, Mourinho had Ricardo Carvalho, who he not only took with him to Chelsea, but also made sure they were reunited when taking charge of Real Madrid. Between those two jobs, Mourinho worked with the charismatic, take-no-prisoners Marco Materazzi at Inter Milan. It was Materazzi, not Mourinho, who famously grabbed Mario Balotelli and threw him up against a wall, exasperated by the youngster’s attitude. And upon his return to Chelsea, Mourinho knew he could rely upon his text friend John Terry.
All leaders. All with a similar win-at-all-cost attitude. And all played their best football for Mourinho nearing the end of their careers.
At United, Mourinho inherits a squad whose defensive stocks are so short, we saw Daley Blind, standing at less than six foot, establish himself as a first-choice centre-half last season. Eric Bailly, at 22, is one for the future. The link with Bonucci is no floater. It may not finish with the Juventus centre-half signing a United contract. But Mourinho is looking for an experienced general to build his back four around.
We can bang on about Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and the United Way. But what also should be included in the fabric of the modern-day Manchester United is the heroic, uncompromising centre-half.
Twenty-nine years ago, Sir Alex Ferguson made his most important signing as United manager. We can talk about Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. But the shoulders whom Fergie built his first great team upon was no big money foreigner. It was Steve Bruce, a 26 year-old Geordie from Norwich City. A leader. A warrior. And a future captain.
Brucie was the first. But was no one-off. Every great United team under Ferguson had a Bruce-type. From Jaap Stam to Nemanja Vidic. Even with the development of Chris Smalling under Louis van Gaal, Mourinho won’t win the league with this back four. He knows United need that leadership and know-how.
But does it have to be Bonucci? Should it be?
Why not Ashley Williams, the Swansea City captain? Or Crystal Palace’s Scouser, Scott Dann? Okay, they don’t boast the reputation or the trophy cabinet of Bonucci. But if Mourinho is to pursue a deal for John Stones, of Everton, or Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, it could all get a bit messy if Bonucci takes his time finding his feet in the Premier League.
Mourinho would have no such problems with Williams or Dann. What you see is what you get. Either of them could be parachuted in and United’s back four would be enhanced. Perhaps long-term, Bonucci would be the better option. But if Stones or Varane arrive, having a Williams-type around for two years to keep it all together would be a canny piece of business.
It’s ridiculous that the Welshman hasn’t played Champions League football. If the laptop wizards at Liverpool had allowed Brendan Rodgers to sign his old Swans centre-half, as he wanted to two years ago, the Ulsterman would still be in the job today. When it emerged at the end of last season that Williams was on Arsene Wenger’s radar, it was no surprise. He doesn’t make headlines. But Ashley Williams has the respect of every manager in the league. Why none have pulled the trigger to buy him is a mystery.
It may not be the Welshman, nor the Scouser in London. But Mourinho is seeking that experienced, no-nonsense centre-half. The type he’s built his best teams upon. And the sort which helped Ferguson build the modern ‘United Way’.
Contributed by Chris Beattie of Tribalfootball.com