Mourinho’s worst Manchester United signing

Manchester United have been very hit and miss in the transfer market since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. There have been a few gems like Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw. Although neither have nailed down a starting place in the team their talent is not in question.

But, until Jose rocked up at Manchester United, there were too many duds to mention.

And, whatever you say about Mourinho’s tactics, he does have a good record in terms of signings.

Eric Bailly will eventually become one of the best centre-backs in the world and is still only 22.

Nemanja Matic has been as solid as they come in the midfield. Zlatan was a brilliant player and his career was cruelly cut short by injury at United. Paul Pogba may not always please Jose but he is certainly a crowd favourite at Old Trafford. Even Henrikh Mkhitaryan had some excellent games for the club before becoming a makeweight for a player who we expect too explode next season – that’s Alexis Sanchez of course.

But there has been one stinker of a signing and it’s one of Mourinho’s worst, certainly at Manchester United.

Victor Lindelof has decent feet and there is talent there. But from day one he hasn’t looked as if he has the temperament, pace or physique for the Premier League. He made a couple of errors in pre-season and never seemed to recover his confidence or composure.

He’s played a few important games when injury has ruled out other big-hitters. But, by and large, Jose hasn’t trusted the ex-Benfica centre back.

At just 23 he has time to recover and first seasons at big clubs can regularly provide the stiffest of challenges. But top centre backs in the EPL are quick, strong and alert. Lindelof doesn’t appear to have a great measure of any of these qualities.

He may well get another season at Manchester United, but with the likes of Toby Alderweireld likely to leave Tottenham, Lindelof’s opportunity may already have gone. And few would be surprised if Mourinho let the Swedish international of 19 caps leave the club this summer.