Opinionated Article: What must Jose Mourinho do to ensure his side are in next season's title race?

Our budding sports journalists were set an interesting task last week; using their own sporting knowledge and researching current affairs, they had to produce an article suggesting ways Jose Mourinho's United side can stay with the pack next season and challenge for major honours. With multiple factors to bring into consideration, it was a task that not only tested our student's knowledge of football, but their ability to form a coherent argument on the subject.

Antony Bailey  (7S) seems to think United's chances next season are strong, providing they make the right transfers this summer. Here's what he has written.

 

I think that in order for Jose Mourinho to win the title race next season he must keep his formation of 4-3-3.

To have an effective squad Mourinho should sign forward Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid (although his price is rumoured to be around £100m!). He could also sign centre forward Pierre-emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund as well as Monaco full-back Fabinho. Another great signing would be centre-back Diego Godin from Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco.

In order for Mourinho to boost his transfer kitty, there are players who could be givent eh axe such as Marouane Fellaini, Marcos Rojo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones - none of whom currently see much first team action.

Manchester United would be unstoppable with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann up front. This is why in my opinion 4-3-3 would be such an effective formation!

However, Mourinho has a decent core squad in David De Gea, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan  and Anthony Martial - all of whom should continue to be given regular first team appearances.  

Overall, I think that Mourinho should keep his formation 4-3-3, sign Griezmann, Aubameyang, Fabinho, Godin and Isco. He should also give some players the axe and play Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Griezmann up front. With this strategy Mourinho will increase his odds of winning the title! 

 

Antony's article shows fantastic knowledge of football as well as a strong opinion on what United need to do to succeed. Because of these efforts, Antony will be rewarded with the opportunity to analyse the performances of one of Chingford's own football teams - a first in school history in terms of sports journalism. Well done Antony!