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Manchester United don't need Jose Mourinho, judging by their performances over the past week.
You can't help but laugh at the constant back and forth of soccer fans. Just two weeks ago, Manchester United fans were calling for Louis Van Gaal's head. Jose Mourinho scarves were being sold outside Old Trafford, and there was talk that the Dutchman was done after pitiful losses to FC Midtjylland and Sunderland.
Photo: @ItzAGoal365 | Twitter
Flash forward to this weekend, and the mood has shifted dramatically. A 3-0 win versus Shrewsbury in the FA Cup and a 5-1 slaughter against FC Midtjylland had United supporters in a good mood coming into the weekend tie versus Arsenal. And then Marcus Rashford announced himself.
The youngster had scored two against Midtjylland, but most people were quick to write that off based on the quality of the opposition. Against Arsenal, however, Rashford was quick to dispel the notion that his two-goal performance was a mere flash-in-the-pan.
It wasn't just his goals. It was his movement, his directness and his work ethic that truly convinced people that this kid might be something special. And he wasn't the only youngster that impressed.
Photo: @DHLManUtd | Twitter
The Uruguayan Guillermo Varela had a heavy influence on both of Rashford's goals, and he was a constant menace throughout the game, taking advantage of the fact that Alexis Sanchez rarely ever helped out Nacho Monreal. Despite some nervy defensive moments, the young right back also looks like he has a bright future.
In truth, all of United's youngsters did well. Jesse Lingard was solid and nabbed an assist while debutant Timothy Fosu-Mensah made a couple mistakes but otherwise coped well.
It's worth saying in this moment of warm feelings and cautious optimism that none of this would have happened without Louis van Gaal. This isn't meant to say that Van Gaal is the right man for the Manchester United job or that he doesn't have flaws, but it is saying that short-term success comes with a price. Manchester United don't need Mourinho because they are traditionally a club that values the long-term.
While United under Van Gaal has been labored and trophy-less, it has seen the team become much more disciplined and streamlined than it was under David Moyes. Van Gaal has burnt the deadwood from the team, and replaced it with a healthy balance of versatile, experienced players and young, hungry youth products.
Rome wasn't built in a day, as the slightly cliche saying goes, and those that are calling for Mourinho would do well to remember that. It's entirely possible that United won't win anything under Van Gaal, but there is no doubt that the team will be better when he leaves than when he came in.
It took Sir Alex Ferguson six years to win a trophy, but in that time, he completely revamped the club's scouting network, sending them off to nab the best British talents for United's academy. He created the fertile ground from which he would reap the Class of '92, and other key players such as Wes Brown and John O'Shea.
Manchester United are now at a crossroads. They no longer have the best academy. That honor now belongs to Manchester City, whose cutting-edge new youth system is now snapping up the youth players that otherwise would have gone to United. United's recent graduates are doing well, but their under-18's are struggling immensely, which is an ominous sign for the future.
Photo: premierleague.com
Louis Van Gaal has granted 14 debuts to academy products already in his tenure at Manchester United, and he gave debuts to world-greats such as Clarence Seedorf, Thomas Muller, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta. In comparison, Jose Mourinho has given 23 debuts to players over a span of 15 years with six different clubs.
Manchester United fans. Be careful what you wish for. You may win with Jose Mourinho, but at what cost? He'll eventually leave, and the youth program that United have historically been so proud of will be outclassed by Manchester City.
Do you want to see more fairy tale stories like Marcus Rashford? Do you want to be the scrappy team of kids that wins with heart and plays without fear? If not, then I suggest you find another team to support. Jose Mourinho is a great manager, but he will not be good for the long-term success of the club. Van Gaal is infuriating, but there is no doubt he is building a solid team for the future.
Manchester United don't need Mourinho, and, to quote Sir Alex:
"Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think it's a better cow than the one you've got in the field."
Follow me on Twitter @J_Hansen_89
