Manchester United will finish ‘third or fourth’ this season in the Premier League, according to television pundit Stan Collymore. The outspoken TV football pundit weighed in on Manchester United’s performances this season speaking in an interview with the Mirror. Despite believing manager Jose Mourinho will get the club into the top four, Collymore thinks Manchester United will part ways with former Premier League winner in the summer.
Manchester United to finish ‘third or fourth’
Manchester United are currently seventh in the Premier League after last weekend’s nil-nil draw with Crystal Palace. The Red Devils are 14 points behind league leaders Manchester City and seven behind fourth-place Chelsea. Manchester United are actually one point closer to the relegation zone than they are to Manchester City at the top of the table.
Speaking to the Mirror, Collymore talked about his belief that Mourinho will get the sack in the summer. With other capable managers at a fraction of the price available, Collymore thinks Mourinho’s time is running out at Old Trafford.
“Eventually the penny will have to drop with Ed Woodward and the Glazers that there will be better people out there on a fraction of what Mourinho earns that can get more attacking football out of the same group of players.
“And that will happen. Do not be surprised if next year they have got in a manager with an attacking philosophy and Manchester United are a significantly better team.
“The results might be similar. Mourinho still wins a lot of games and I still expect Manchester United to finish third or fourth this season.
“This isn’t about not getting results. This is about getting results allied with the fundamental principles of United, which is to entertain their fan base. He will never do that. He cannot change at this late stage. He is done. He is finished and gone in May or June. The end.”
Mourinho has been unable to get his high-priced players to fire this term. Since winning the Europa League in his first season at Old Trafford, Mourinho has found life increasingly difficult at the club.
According to an article published by the BBC, Manchester United’s players are earning half a million pounds more than rivals Manchester City. Some football pundits have equated their players’ financial earnings to being complacent. Manchester United players make an average salary of £6,534,654 per season. In 2017-18, the Red Devils paid a total of £296m in player salaries.
Much has been made of Manchester United’s inability to score this season. The club averages just 1.6 goals per game under Mourinho, 0.4 goals fewer than during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign. Striker Romelu Lukaku has scored just four goals in 16 games in all competitions. He is yet to tally a goal in the Champions League.
Is Manchester United doomed with Jose Mourinho as manager?
