Manchester United in danger of losing their identity under Jose Mourinho in desperation to win Premier League again, warns Craig Bellamy
- Manchester United beat Benfica 1-0 in Champions League on Wednesday night
- It came days after uber-defensive display in 0-0 draw with Liverpool
- Jose Mourinho often sets up negatively in important Premier League matches
- Craig Bellamy has claimed United fans will soon get fed-up with this approach
Manchester United are at risk of losing their identity under Jose Mourinho, according to Craig Bellamy.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker hasn't been impressed by Mourinho's negative approach in certain matches, notably the goalless draw at Anfield against Liverpool on Saturday.
United also looked sluggish for much of their 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday night, leading to more questions about Mourinho's approach.
Jose Mourinho's approach is a turn-off for Manchester United fans, according to Craig Bellamy
The Sky Sports pundit believes United's identity will be lost under Mourinho's defensive style
And Bellamy believes United's fans will quickly lose patience with Mourinho if he continues to approach important games in this manner, regardless of whether he delivers trophies or not.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Bellamy said: 'Manchester United are more than titles. As a football club they have an identity that's worth more than a title.
'As a club they have a certain way of playing and as a club they've let that go for the time being.
'Going from winning [the league] on a regular basis, to now coming off it has got them in that much of a panic.
'Bobby Charlton said it through the years that Mourinho isn't a Man United type of manager.
Mourinho set up with a defensive strategy in United's goalless draw at Liverpool on Saturday
Former Liverpool striker Bellamy (right) says Mourinho is anathema to how United should play
'At the moment, for their desperation to win trophies, to get back to the top, they will bring him in and they will let it go for now.
'But there will only be a period Manchester United supporters and Manchester United as a football club will allow this to happen for.
'Manchester United is a huge club, with a huge tradition, and you don't want to be going too far away from that.'
Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal as manager in 2016 and won both the EFL Cup and the Europa League in his first season at Old Trafford.
But United have not won the Premier League since 2012-13, the final season before Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and are desperate to change that.
Mourinho won the Premier League three times during his two spells as manager of Chelsea.
Marcus Rashford celebrates with his team-mates after scoring United's winning goal against Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday night
Bellamy's comments come despite United scoring 21 goals in eight Premier League matches so far this season, including 4-0 wins over West Ham, Swansea and Everton.
They have also beaten Basle 3-0 and CSKA Moscow 4-1 in the Champions League.
Most watched Sport videos
- The Rock begins MMA training camp ahead of filming 'Smashing Machine'
- Crystal Palace manager reacts to strong win over Man Utd
- Brendan Fevola's daughter reveals he still plays footy in the park
- Dad or Ronaldo? World Snooker Champ Wilson's kids keep him humble
- Boy aged 10 dies after freak cricket accident
- Boy dies after being hit in the groin with a ball during cricket
- Dana White's bizarre rant against Netflix during Tom Brady roast
- Mbappe asked whether he will support Real Madrid tomorrow
- Jadon Sancho leads Dortmund stars in Adele rendition
- PSG and Dortmund fans put on a spectacle ahead of UCL clash
- Dortmund get the party started as they reach Champions League final
- Drew Bledsoe makes THAT Gisele joke during Tom Brady roast