Okay, bear with me for a few minutes. I may or may not be writing this to write out my thoughts and calm my own fears down. I’ve done a lot of thinking the past 24 hours and have decided we need to spin this 3 game skid as a positive for a few different reasons. First, it’s a good thing we were on the shitty end of some no-calls that cemented our losses. If we had simply lost to City and then beat Feyenoord and Watford while still playing like crap, perhaps the glaring weaknesses in the team would be overlooked. Now that we have lost 3 games in a row, all the while playing like a mid-table side, Mourinho is forced to examine what this club needs and how it can improve quickly. Furthermore, it (hopefully) instills a certain fire in the squad that they have something to prove, that they really are a top club, and that the hype wasn’t big enough. We just haven’t gotten there yet. There are a few things I’m concerned about, and I will focus mainly on the offense. Honestly, I don’t think we are that bad defensively. The goals we have conceded have been due mostly to poor rotations that happen once or twice a game when we are out of position. Is it a pattern early on? Yes, but I think our defensive “woes” could be solved with a bit of chemistry in the back (which will happen over time) and a few video and practice sessions.

Lack of a system.

The main worry I have is the lack of a tactical system and direction the team has. Are we a high-tempo, pressing team? Are we a possession side? Are we a disciplined defensive team with lethal counter-attacking abilities? It seems like we are somehow all of the above, and none of the above at the same time. There are times Zlatan, Rashford, (or Herrera when he’s in) pressure our opponent yet the rest of the team does not move upfield. We also have good spells of possession where we break down teams, yet even in this possession our players are stagnant and there is no rhythm to the team movement. Furthermore, when we try to counter it often results in a useless pass or switch, or we don’t push enough players into the box. Mourinho really, really needs to determine what system we will play, then determine what players are best suited for that system. With the personnel we have, IMO our team is best suited to be a sound defensive team that is lethal on the counter-attack, playing quick when we catch other teams out. Furthermore, we are a big, physical team and I believe an emphasis on early crosses to Zlatan/Rashford and looking for set-piece opportunities will serve us best. This also tends to be what Mourinho prefers, so it works out a bit. That being said, I also think we have the potential to play quick when we want to in the attack and also play a possession-based game to see a win out.

In all 3 of our losses, hell, even in our wins, we did not seem to have a distinct style or system of runs or rhythm. The predictability of our movement, or lack thereof, really limits our team. Once Mourinho can instill a system into the squad we can hopefully establish a rhythm in the games that will lead to a more fluent, interchanging attack and a more fluent counter.

Personnel issues.

After seeing 7 games with the current squad, there are a few things that are very apparent (at least to me). With the current formation of a 4-2-3-1, we have an influx of strikers, but no width. Neither Martial nor Rashford are typical wingers. Neither is Mhki, Lingard or Mata. None of these players really look to beat his man and serve a ball in to Zlatan, which is arguably how Zlatan is most effective. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as I love how direct the two young guns and Mhki are especially, but with big boy Zlatan in the middle waiting to get his head on anything within 10 feet of him, we should really focus on whipping early balls in to him. This doesn’t mean I don’t want Martial and Rashford to constantly attack their opponent, but I do think it is something we need to emphasis more. Additionally, it is clear that our team is most lethal Shaw or Valencia are involved in the attack, as this is where we get most of our width from. I love when the two get down the line, but too often they are out there alone. Why can’t we bring a player over, play down the line, get to the end line, and score a goal like the 2 that were scored against us at Watford?

We also have an influx of midfielders, but no creative #10 (unless we count Mata, but until he plays underneath Zlatan, he’s a winger). Rooney has played like pure dogshit this entire season. It is past the point where anyone can say differently. He clearly affects our system, the speed of play, and most importantly our starting formation. The sooner Rooney is out of the side, the quicker we will be better. I’m sorry to all the Rooney lovers out there, I love the legend too, but what we thought he could bring us this year, he can’t. He isn’t good in possession, he doesn’t play lethal balls forward, and he is a defensive liability. Let’s take a look at the Watford match and see why Rooney cannot be our #10. He took 9 corners, and only completed 2 of them. Our #10 didn’t create a single chance in open play, didn’t beat an opponent, and only managed one shot (that he duffed for a throw in). He completed 33/40 passes, BUT only 6 – 6!!!!!!!! – passes were going forward. 27 of 33 passes were sideways or backwards. Defensively, Rooney didn’t win one tackle and seemed out of position more often than not. Looking at the top of the EPL table, Rooney (at this point) doesn’t belong in the same sentence as the other #10s. KDB, Barkley, Eriksen/Alli, Ozil, Oscar, and Coutinho are all better creators and more effective offensively. Until Rooney is out of the squad, our team will not reach full potential.

So who should play the #10, you ask? We have a few options. Mhkitaryan seems to be the perfect fit if we want to play with a #10; however, I believe it is vital we switch to a 4-3-3 similar to this.

http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=cy9ky0

This allows Pogba to roam freely as he has defensive cover in Blind, who’s main responsibility is to stay put and intercept balls played to the feet of the strikers. When we have the ball in possession, Blind can drop off into a 3-back with Smalling and Bailly with Valencia and Shaw providing width like this.

http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=cy9ky3

This would be the biggest switch and quite frankly, I think this is exactly what we need (think Gerrard in his late years). Blind can spray balls from deep while Shaw and Valencia are able to provide width that Rashford and Mhkitaryan don’t necessarily provide. When we attack up the left side, we could end up looking like this…

http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=cy9k32

When we attack up the right side, we could end up looking like this…

http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=cy9ky7

Furthermore, this lineup especially allows for Mhki to roam, similar to KDB for City. Herrera and Pogba are two workhorses who both run their asses off each time they play, and both have solid playmaking abilities. We could end up attacking like this when we are building up…

http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=cy9ky5

I believe this lineup gives us the best possible chance to win. Our defense is similar to before, but with Blind in front of Smalling and Bailly it will be much more difficult for our opponents to play through the middle. Playing Blind here also gives Pogba the freedom to roam, something he clearly needs to thrive. Herrera next to Pogba provides another player who will work his tail off and can connect passes, as well as someone who can sit when necessary and can create some opportunities going forward. Finally, getting Mhkitaryan into the side is imperative for our attack as he is the best playmaker we have. Mhkitaryan will be allowed to go almost anywhere on the pitch in this formation and is given the freedom to go where he chooses. With all that being said, it doesn’t matter who is on the field or what formation we play if we don’t have a set system that allows the players to get in to a rhythm, with specific movements and runs that will always happen. In addition to this formation, I think a 3-5-2 with wing backs could be very effective and allow for our best players to be on the pitch, with Rashford/Zlatan up top, Pogba/Mhki/Herrera in the middle, with Shaw/Valencia as wingbacks and the back 3 of Smalling/Blind/Bailly. That’s essentially how we’d end up looking in the attack anyways.

Honestly, I wrote this to avoid reading about the Federal Income Tax Code. I appreciate you reading this and hope it sparks some good discussion. As I said before, I am kind of happy this is happening now so we can hopefully get it figured out and hit our stride during the Winter months through the Spring. Remember, it is imperative we all stay positive because the season is 9 months long and we’ve only gone through 1 month.

TLDR: Mourinho needs to figure the tactical shit out, but we need to be patient and happy this shitstorm is happening now and not later after we developed a false sense of being good.

Edit: Sorry mods, my formatting is off and I'm clueless how to fix it.