Why Manchester United's season hinges on Pogba's return with Lukaku failing to inspire

José Mourinho finds himself under the cosh after another loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and things could potentially go from bad to worse if he is not careful. Manchester United’s season appears to be hanging in the balance with across-town rivals Manchester City eight points in front.

Another insipid performance against Chelsea resulted in the same outcome as the previous three of their last four games away at Stamford Bridge: a loss. Manchester United were always second best in every challenge and did not play with the same tenacity as previously shown earlier this season.

The Red Devils fans are starting to become irate with the negative tactics and Mourinho’s obsession, and cowardice, in sitting deep and defending, waiting for the opponent to make a mistake and then nick a goal.

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It is not pretty reading for Mourinho and his away record with both Chelsea and now Manchester United. Since January 2015, the Portuguese boss has not won an away game against top six opposition in the Premier League. Six losses and five draws in 11 games is an appalling record, and suggests that Mourinho has lost his touch of winning important games at crucial times of the season.

It is all well and good beating the ‘smaller’ teams in the league, but given Manchester City are in a rampant mood, United will need to minimise their draws and losses this season as it is going to take a mighty points tally to overhaul the Champions-elect.

And so Mourinho now finds himself under scrutiny from the fans. His timing of leaking to the press that he wants an extra £3m per-season to sign a contract extension was not the wisest of political moves, either.

One of the main problems in the past month for Man United has been the absence of Paul Pogba. When the Frenchman picked up his hamstring injury against FC Basel mid-September, it appeared the team’s ability to function rapidly ceased to exist.

Mourinho has opted for a three-man midfield consisting of Nemanja Matić, as the anchor, Ander Herrera, in a box-to-box role, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the creative influence. Yet the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker has lost his touch completely and his early season form has evaporated.

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Unfortunately for the Red Devils, they do not have a reliable and creative ‘number 10’ who can consistently perform to the level that is needed. Manchester United are crying out for a player like David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne, two players who are playing exceptional football under Pep Guardiola.

Without Pogba on the pitch, there is a distinct lack of leaders. Not one player is demanding to be on the ball the way that Pogba does – especially in midfield. Herrera was Mourinho’s right-hand man last season, but those responsibilities have faded and the Spaniard does not look like he has the same desire nor ability he showed 12 months ago.

Manchester United are a sitting duck waiting for Pogba to return, and even then, he might not be able to hit the ground running after being sidelined for over a month. Mourinho’s title hopes lie on the Frenchman, which is an incredibly dangerous game to play; but it appears without him, the Red Devils do not possess that creative spark to challenge the very best.

Andreas Pereira would have been the perfect player to come in for Pogba and make up for the lack of creativity, yet he decided to go to Valencia on a season-long loan, against the manager’s wishes. There was a reason for Mourinho suggesting not to leave, and this was it.

Another problem for Man United is Romelu Lukaku’s anonymity throughout games. It has now been seven games in all competitions without a goal for the Belgian international. While not a horrendous record, it is his influence over matches that is starting to worry fans.

In his last game, Lukaku had a mighty zero touches inside the Chelsea box. While that is not wholly his fault, and more down to the lack of creativity from behind him, it is a worrying sign that Lukaku is not been given the ball in areas in which he thrives in. Instead, it is a case of hit-and-hope from Manchester United’s midfielders and defenders that is taking shape.

With Mkhitaryan’s abysmal performances, United need someone to stand up and take control of games in an attacking sense. Juan Mata did not even make the match day squad against Chelsea, which Mourinho failed to address why not, and does not look to be taking the number 10 role any time soon.

In United’s favour, they do have Newcastle United and Brighton, both at Old Trafford, as their next two games in the Premier League. They need to put their recent performances behind them and rekindle the form that saw them brush clubs aside 4-0. Otherwise, Manchester City’s lead at the top of the table will only extend and United could be forced out of this title race by Christmas.