5 Manchester United Players That Could Surprisingly Excel Under Jose Mourinho

It’s been a week since Jose Mourinho and Manchester United brought football’s worst kept secret to an end. And everything and nothing has changed.

Instead, like the first bubbles emerging in boiling cauldron, United fans are waiting with expected, bated breath for the drama to begin. For staff to leave. For players to be bought. For others to be sold.

Jose Mourinho, with a reported £200 million treasure chest at his disposal, will already have earmarked those he deems capable of making Manchester United glorious once again.

But in the midst of United’s squad, amongst the remnants of the Ferguson, Moyes, and Van Gaal eras, are players that Mourinho can shine and polish and mould into the squad members that he desires. Here are 5.

Phil Jones

In dire need of rejuvenation, the Lancashire lad’s Manchester United career has stagnated because of injury and loss of form. Jones has long been eclipsed by Chris Smalling at the heart of United’s defence. But Mourinho proved when he successfully moved William Gallas from centre-back to right-back that he isn’t adverse to such positional alterations. Which could suit Jones. Because Jones’ speed, stamina and strength fit a fullback berth, while it would also mean that his lapses in concentration wouldn’t be repeatedly punished.

Chris Smalling

Arguably the most improved defender in the Premier League last season, Chris Smalling now needs to prove that this is the norm rather than the exception. To do that he needs to become more statuesque and add a sternness and arrogance that is immediately apparent even when he sets into the tunnel. Mourinho is the man to instil this kind of attitude and chutzpah into Smalling, much like he did to John Terry when he arrived at Stamford Bridge.

Jesse Lingard

Jose Mourinho loves a workhorse, especially when the same intrepid player is an attacker with the discipline and awareness to defend. The likes of Damien Duff, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Geremi, Willian, Dejan Stankovic, Sulley Muntari, and Angel Di Maria have each benefited from Mourinho’s preference for a player that sticks dutifully to his instructions. Jesse Lingard has shown that he could have the same impact. While Lingard’s finishes against Chelsea in February and Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final prove how potent he can be in the opposition’s box, he’s also showed a willingness to halt attacks, too, as well as a versatility that should put him in good stead with Mourinho.

Memphis Depay

Undoubtedly talented, but yet to show it nearly enough for Manchester United, Memphis Depay is the one player who is likely to benefit the most from Louis Van Gaal’s departure. After being dropped for the FA Cup Final squad, Depay’s United career was on the cusp of extinction. But he possesses the flair, audacity, power, speed, and skill to excel at Old Trafford, a place where wingers are adored. And as he’s proven with wingers-cum-forwards like Eden Hazard, Angel Di Maria, Arjen Robben, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho knows how to get players of this ilk to excel. Memphis Depay has the attributes to join them, we just don’t know if he has the attitude.

Marouane Fellaini

Some of Jose Mourinho’s greatest managerial moments have come from stopping his opponents. Against Barcelona with Inter Milan in 2010, and Liverpool with Chelsea in 2014 immediately spring to mind, but dotted throughout his career he’s shown that he knows exactly how to bring a game to a halt in a frankly infuriating manner. Step-forward Marouane Fellaini a player who repeatedly causes havoc, whether he wants to or not. While most Manchester United fans want to see the back of the Belgian, Fellaini could become a useful stifling tool for Mourinho. And if he’s used sporadically rather than consistently in a winning United team, he could even become a cult figure.