Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is “looking outdated” and his personality has changed, says former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton.
Mourinho has been criticised by some United fans and pundits for a style of football perceived to be unadventurous.
United are second in the Premier League and in the FA Cup semi-finals, but went out of the Champions League last week.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright told BBC Radio 5 live he “would not want to play for Mourinho right now”.
United are 16 points behind Manchester City in the league with eight matches remaining and will face Tottenham next month for a place in the FA Cup final.
But while City have scored 85 league goals this season, United have scored only 58 – the fewest in the top four.
The Red Devils were knocked out of Europe by Sevilla, who won 2-1 at Old Trafford, while both City and Liverpool progressed to the quarter-finals.
Sutton, speaking on the Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 live, said: “Mourinho is a changed personality from the charismatic one that first came over in 2004. He is picking silly, personal squabbles.
“Is it disastrous for Manchester United at the moment? No.
“But is this what Mourinho’s remit was, to come in and finish behind City and not push for major trophies? He is rattled.
“He looks across the city, and the style of football they and Liverpool play. This is a guy who first came on to the scene and was regarded as a genius. Now he is looking outdated in the way his team plays and the way other teams play.”
Mourinho, 55, won three Premier League titles in two spells as Chelsea manager. He succeeded Louis van Gaal as United boss in May 2016, and won the EFL Cup and Europa League in his first season.
Wright blames the Portuguese for the “doom and gloom” at Old Trafford.
The former England forward said: “You look at the way United play, and the last time a Mourinho team played when you thought it was amazing was his second spell with Chelsea until halfway through the season.
“I don’t know what has happened to him. The club have brought Mourinho in to bring back the greatness. He has spent a lot of money but he is finding arguments with anybody.
“Manchester City are playing a brand of football that is magnificent and United and the players still have 40% in them.”
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