'They have to become killers' - Gary Neville on what should happen next for Jose Mourinho and Man United
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho saw his side slump to defeat against Newcastle on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Gary Neville believes Jose Mourinho needs to spend the final weeks of this campaign preparing for next season, after claiming the Portugese tactician needs to bring the Premier League title back to Old Trafford in 2019.
After a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday, Neville suggests Mourinho has yet to find a balance in his United side as he told Sky Sports the next few weeks are vital in formulating a plan to stop champions-elect Manchester City in next year's title race.
Neville, who won eight Premier League titles with United, insists now is not the moment to hit the panic button after Mourinho's side fell 16-points behind runaway leaders Manchester City, but he admitted the time for excuses will run out unless his old club delivers success next season.
"They are still quite a way off from where he would want them to be and where Manchester United need them to be and the job will only be measured by whether Jose Mourinho wins the Premier League," stated Neville.
"Obviously winning the Champions League would be absolutely acceptable as well, but to win two trophies in his first season to now…he will be disappointed with how far Manchester United are behind Manchester City.
"The individual talent is there but to coordinate that into a team is Jose Mourinho's job in the next few months. He has to make them into a team.
"They look like a team that play five per cent below the intensity that they can play at and should play at. That's what Jose Mourinho has to do. He has to mould this talented group of players into a team that can come together and can win the title.
"Next season will be Jose's third season and you would think in his mind, and in everyone's minds, that he has to win it next season. They have to start preparing now.
"I still think they will finish second and they are still in the FA Cup and Champions League so there is a lot to play for, but they still have these moments where they let games drift.
"They miss chances, they are sloppy in the final third so many times and they have to improve that. They have to become killers in the final third and they are not at the moment."
United now face a battle to cling on to second place in the Premier League, after Liverpool and Tottenham made up ground on them in the latest round of fixtures.
