From ‘Special One’ to beaten one as Scholes puts boot in
The uncertainty over Wayne Rooney epitomises Jose Mourinho’s problems
LONDON — Another match, another defeat for Jose Mourinho. Sunday’s 3-1 loss at Watford was United’s third in eight days and sent statisticians scrambling to find out when the "Special One" had last been such a beaten one. The answer was 2006. While Mourinho did lose three consecutive games in 2015 with Chelsea, one of those was after a shootout in the Capital One Cup. After Sunday’s defeat Mourinho was philosophical, suggesting that luck will eventually shine on his team, but he will struggle to deflect criticism that United lack the discipline and order usually associated with his teams. The uncertainty over Wayne Rooney epitomises his problems. The striker started off playing a more withdrawn role against Watford, apparently to allow Paul Pogba to forge further forward. But England’s top scorer seldom looked comfortable, mistiming passes and tackles on a frustrating afternoon. After the break he pushed further forward as United chased the equaliser and, when Marcus Rashford delive...
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