Jose Mourinho should drop Zlatan Ibrahimovic and start Marcus Rashford up-front for Manchester United
Sunsport's Neil Custis says the Old Trafford boss must make some huge changes to get his team going again
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JOSE MOURINHO needs to make big changes to shake Manchester United out of their slumber.
Because, right now, with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City visiting in the EFL Cup tomorrow, we are entering David Moyes territory.
It is time to play Marcus Rashford up top down the middle in his preferred position and drop Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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Mourinho must bite the bullet and recall Michael Carrick, who has been frozen out, to get Paul Pogba going.
Ibrahimovic had a good start with five goals in his first five games, including the Community Shield, but he has been ineffective now for the last month.
Teams have worked out how to handle the Swede and Rashford would ask more questions of defences.
Mourinho gave Carrick a 12-month contract extension in the summer and yet he has played just 12 minutes of Premier League football since.
He was recalled for the Europa League tie with Fenerbahce and turned in a display which United have been crying out for.
Someone who can sit in front of the back four and play searching balls forward and release the other deep-lying midfielder in a 4-2-3-1.
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It would certainly benefit Pogba, who has proved he cannot play at No 10 right now.
Being sat alongside Carrick would allow him a free role to dominate the centre of the park.
Word from the training ground suggests Henrikh Mkhitaryan can brighten things up with his skill.
But Mourinho does not believe he has been working hard enough to warrant a first-team place.
All is clearly not well there but can it get worse with Mkhitaryan on the right and Anthony Martial recalled on the left?
There is also an argument for Ander Herrera replacing £89million man Pogba for now.
United’s defence needs a rejig, with Eric Bailly facing a long lay-off with a knee injury.
Mourinho is looking for his best side and it is one that will not have Wayne Rooney in it.
But Guardiola is not having things all his own way, either, with no win in five.
City’s 1-1 draw against Southampton on Sunday prompted a 50-minute showdown with his players with the dressing room door firmly locked.
Mourinho has been calm and measured in his approach so far but he needs time.
Unfortunately, there is now little time before Manchester City come calling.
Having lost once already to the neighbours this season at Old Trafford, he simply cannot accept another defeat.