Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho facing a 'car crash' like Arsene Wenger says Ian Wright

The Manchester United manager was frustrated throughout pre-season after failing to clinch transfer targets

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is on “borrowed time” and risks a “car crash” season at Old Trafford in a similar way to when Arsene Wenger left Arsenal, according to Ian Wright.

Mourinho cut a frustrated figure throughout pre-season and watched on as his side were comfortably beaten by Brighton at the weekend in their second Premier League match.

Paul Pogba admitted that their attitude was wrong in Sunday’s defeat, as reports of his testing relationship with the manager continue to swirl.

The Portuguese manager has previously suffered from ‘third season syndrome’ where he falls out with players and under-delivers in his third year at a club.

Writing for The Sun, Wright believes Mourinho is showing similarities to Wenger’s time in his last years at Arsenal and fails to see Manchester United turning things around.

“As much as I respect him as a manager, I can’t see any way it is going to turn around,” said the former Arsenal striker. “We all know about Jose and his third-year syndrome. But, listening to him talk, it’s as though even he has accepted it himself.

Jose Mourinho's side looked dis-jointed in the 3-2 defeat against Brighton (Getty)

“In many ways it’s like the last days of Arsene Wenger. People were watching Arsenal because it was car crash football. United are fast turning into the same.”

For all of Brighton’s impressive play at the Amex, United’s individual mistakes were Mourinho’s big takeaway from the shock defeat. “There were too many mistakes and we were punished,” he told Sky Sports.

Eric Bailly gave away a penalty and was part of a problematic defensive duo alongside Vicor Lindelof.

“As for the players,” said Wright. “It’s clearly not a good situation. Something really isn’t right. Mourinho has had a pop at players time and again, he had another go in pre-season and now finds himself having to call on some of them.

“I’m not for one second suggesting in any way they’re throwing games, but equally you cannot tell me some aren’t thinking, ‘This serves you right’”

“In the days of the great boss, we all used to talk about Fergie time. In Mourinho’s case, sadly I feel it is fast becoming borrowed time.”