Although Jose Mourinho may directly benefit from continuing the intriguing suggestion that his Manchester United side are under siege from all directions, the English giants have in fact seen their form take a notable upswing of late.
Ahead of a crucial derby against Manchester City on Sunday, Mourinho’s team have picked up important results and should take courage from their improving performances - especially away from home.
Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over the very Juventus side that conquered Old Trafford two week’s prior has been heralded as a turning point for the Man Utd manager. But in many ways it was just the latest example of how this side tend to perform far better when they’re on the road.
Indeed, the Champions League victory in Turin was United’s fifth away win of the season and bumped the club’s points-per-game average on the road up to 2. Which is a notable contrast to the 1.38 points Mourinho’s side currently average at Old Trafford this season.
The Portuguese coach is renowned for his preference for defensive, cautious football and when we compare United’s success at home and away that seems to be a fundamental reason behind the contrasting fortunes.
Although United tend to concede more shots away from home on average this season, they do average around five more interceptions per game on the road than at Old Trafford. Which may explain why the expected goals average for United’s opponents is slightly higher in Manchester than it is when Mourinho’s side set off on their travels.
This, fundamentally, translates to United actually having a far better defensive record on the road as a whole. With a relatively respectable 1.27 goals conceded on average in each away game looking far better than the 1.45 United ship on average in any given home match.
As evident from United’s victories at Bournemouth, Watford, Burnley and the recent, aforementioned victory in Italy, Mourinho’s side have picked up important points by stubbornly defending their goal mouth and keeping conceded goals to a minimum.
Although it isn’t just classic, Mourinho defending that is proving useful on the road for United this season. His team also come alive and seem to attack with far more vigour and imagination on the road too.
Intriguingly, United average more crosses, shots and counter attacks at Old Trafford per game, yet the club’s expected goals figure stands at just 1.36 per match. On the road that number takes a notable 25 per cent increase to 1.7.
Similarly, Man United’s fans will reluctantly note that the club’s goal scoring at home has been dreadful this season with the 1-1 draw with Wolves, the 0-0 draw with Valencia and the 0-1 defeat to Juventus coming to mind, which currently averages out at a rather pitiful 1.18 goals per home game. Yet on the road Mourinho’s side pick up 1.64 goals per game. Which, as we’ve recently seen at Stamford Bridge and the Allianz Stadium in Turin, can prove enough to claim important results that suddenly galvanise the squad and wider support.
Of course, none of this means that Mourinho’s side are up to the task of matching Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Man City side. The Old Trafford boss chose the word “untouchables” to describe his coming opponents in the pre-match media conference and although it may have been a flippant remark it goes a long way to underlining the gap between both sides at the moment.
However, if Man United can beat their spotless rivals it’ll most likely come away from the demanding and imposing crowds at Old Trafford. Mourinho’s side have looked far better on the road this season and that should give them confidence ahead of the first Manchester derby of the season.
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