Former Chelsea assistant manager, Ray Wilkins believes Jose Mourinho still does not know what his best team is after 14 games of his reign at Manchester United.
Wilkins’ comment is coming after Manchester United were thrashed 4-0 by Chelsea on Sunday as Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was sacked by the London club last season.
He told Sky Sports Now: “I don’t go with people being tired – I just don’t think they’ve got a settled side. I just don’t think Jose knows what his best XI players are to be perfectly honest.
“I don’t think that’s because of the competitions they’re in. Chelsea haven’t played but I’m sure they’d sooner be playing in Europe and would have played in that time.
“Manchester United have to start improving and the goals they conceded yesterday were very, very poor as far as they’re concerned.
“We talk about parking the bus – you could have driven a bus through that United defence on three of the occasions Chelsea scored.
“They’re just not performing and I think it’s going to take a while for Jose to turn it around as well.”
Wilkins does not necessarily think new faces are required to change United’s fortunes and instead feels Mourinho should turn to the experienced figures he already has at his disposal.
Michael Carrick was an unused substitute at Chelsea and Wayne Rooney did not travel but the former United player thinks both should be mainstays of the team.
Wilkins added: “Jose’s got to make changes. I would love to see Michael Carrick playing in there. He’s the one player United have who can actually control a game from the middle of the field.
“I don’t see [Ander] Herrera doing it. I thought he was very good at Liverpool but that was more from a defensive perspective.
“I certainly don’t see [Marouane] Fellaini being able to control a game – he, for me, is someone who can get forward and get you a goal because of his sheer presence.
“But I think they need someone in there controlling the game and Michael Carrick is the guy for me. If you look at the goal difference, it’s plus one and that’s not like Manchester United.
“They’re normally up at plus nine or 10 but at the moment they’re not playing that attacking brand of football where they’re going to create chances and score a bundle of goals.
“In many ways, I’m quite pleased Wayne Rooney’s not in the team at the moment because he would be taking a lot of flak for what is going on.
“I think he was harshly dealt with and I would like to see him back in there as soon as possible to be honest.”
