Why Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United Are Definitely More Fun Than Van Gaal’s

At the end of Manchester United’s game at Old Trafford on Saturday, Jose Mourinho half-jokingly said he had finally lost to Arsenal. In truth, of course, his unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger’s side goes on, as Olivier Giroud’s header only felt like it inflicted defeat on the Red Devils.

Mourinho as he leaves the room: “So finally I lost against Arsenal. Finally I lost against Arsenal. Finally I lost against Arsenal.”

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) November 19, 2016

In fact it was a smashed-and-grabbed equaliser, robbing Mourinho’s men of what would have seemed a deserved victory.

It was, as moments at Old Trafford go for United fans, distinctly in the “not fun” category. However, while the league table tells ugly truths about the Red Devils’ chances of glory this season—six points off fourth place and nine off the lead—the truth is that their new manager has made one key change from Louis van Gaal’s time in charge.

United are fun again. Not the finished article, not world beaters yet and not where they would want to be in the league, but a team with plenty of ability and attacking intent which—especially at home—has made them a vastly more entertaining prospect than they were last season.

In Manchester United’s last three home games, they have had 74 shots to only 19 by their opponents. Score: 2-2, 3 draws. “Not performing.”

— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) November 21, 2016

The numbers bear out this assertion. If we take as a thesis the notion that a team trying to score a lot of goals is the baseline for entertainment, then the fact United have had 74 shots on goal in their last three league games tells a profound story.

And they were hardly just a bunch of random long-shots either. A very decent 25 of those were on target.

Of course it is a big problem for Mourinho and his team that only two of those 74 shots have resulted in goals. But for those in attendance, while it is frustrating to see a side repeatedly knocking on the door without success, it is infinitely preferable to the antiseptic, lifeless football served up for much of last season.

So many times in the 2015/16 campaign after a dull first half had been played out goalless, the public address system at Old Trafford would kick in with “Glory Glory Man United,” and it would feel profoundly ironic. There was no glory in what was happening on the pitch.

Fans want their team to win, of course, and there is a lot of work left to be done on that score. However, the chance of seeing some entertaining football is a huge part of the draw. “We would rather lose 4-3 than draw 0-0,” might be an …

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