Manchester United: Jose Mourinho is judged different, just ask Van Gaal and Moyes

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho claimed that the rules are different for him than they are other Premier League managers this week. As it turns out, the Red Devils boss is right.

Manchester United drew 0-0 with Hull City on Wednesday. Afterwards, Jose Mourinho decided it was a good time to explain how the rules are different for him than they are for other Premier League managers.

Mourinho used Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger as examples to support his argument. Klopp had angrily screamed in the face of the fourth official on Tuesday during a game against Chelsea. No action was taken over the incident. In fact, the official actually complimented Klopp for his passion.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger got off rather lightly after shoving the fourth official during a recent game against Burnley. Wenger received a four-game touchline ban. If Mourinho did these things, would he receive a bigger punishment? Maybe. We’ll never know.

One thing that would go against Mourinho is his own long history of offenses. And you know who’s fault that is? Yes, Mourinho himself. But the thing the United manager is missing, is that he is indeed judged by different standards. And he might want to keep quiet about it.

Mourinho has not exactly been a raging success at United. The team finished 5th last season under Louis van Gaal. That wasn’t good enough, though, and the Dutchman was dismissed in the summer. So in came Mourinho.

Mourinho spent around £150 million once he arrived, and after 23 Premier League games the team are now 6th. So he’s worse off than van Gaal. Although, Mourinho is five points better off than the Dutchman was at this point in the season. So that’s only £30 million per point so far.

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It’s not like United have an all-action, entertaining playing style either. Both David Moyes and van Gaal were criticized for employing a boring and negative style. They were breaking with Manchester United tradition, they said.

They would rather play just exciting if they’re going to finish outside the top four, they said. But what do they say now? Nothing. Mourinho has the team playing his way. It’s tight, compact and dour in big games.

More open against lesser teams, but still not ripping teams apart like potential title challengers should. The long ball is in full effect, too. Moyes liked playing some long ball also. He was chased out of town for it.

Van Gaal preferred more of a possession game that was too slow and ponderous. But again, chastised for it. Mourinho is getting off lightly at Manchester United right now. The Portuguese always seems to think the world is against him. On occasions, he’ll be right.

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But right now, he’d probably be wise not to draw attention to himself. If the season ends as it is, Mourinho may well get the same treatment as Moyes and van Gaal.

Be careful what you wish for, Jose.

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