Has Jose Mourinho done enough to warrant a contract extension at Manchester United?

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The Sun claim that Manchester United bosses are set to sit down with manager Jose Mourinho at the end of the season to discuss a 12-month contract extension to his current three-year deal to tie him down to the Old Trafford club until the summer of 2020.

The news comes with the club in a disappointing sixth place in the Premier League despite spending £157 million on just four players in the summer, with the Reds unable to break into the top five even in spite of the poor form of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City at times. That said, the side have not been beaten since October when they were thrashed by league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and there are certainly many positive signs.

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In terms of instant results, it would be hard to argue that Mourinho has done enough to warrant such an extension. Most fans were expecting a title challenge this season, with a serious attack on the top four expected at the very least, but so far neither have been realised. With Liverpool faltering, in particular, United may now push for the top four with a late surge, but they are relying on teams above them losing form.

Given the former Chelsea boss’ track record, rarely lasting more than two to three years at a club with success often turning into chaos and failure towards the end of his tenure, it seems a bizarre move. His decision to freeze out key players and big figures in the dressing room has often caused such downward spirals, and early indications of his treatment of the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial suggest that such a situation is not too far from the horizon.

Having spent so much money in the summer, questions too should be asked of Mourinho: is he a sustainable and suitable long-term option for the club? Decisions such as leaving Marcus Rashford and Martial frustrated on the touchline whilst persisting with 35-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic even in his poor form will raise doubts over whether when Mourinho does leave, he will leave the club in a state where they can continue to remain competitive for years to come. Such short-term vision will be a concern for bosses if he is to stay at the club long-term.

That said, United are clearly showing commitment to the long term project of Mourinho. Having already forked out a huge amount in transfer fees in the summer, and with rumours indicating that the club will do so again by funding further investment in the summer, it seems that they wish to avoid the mistakes made with David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal when both were dismissed fairly quickly with a far from perfect record, particularly in terms of transfers. By gaining the commitment of Mourinho, they can invest safely in the knowledge that they are building towards a long-term project.

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