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Manchester United: 5 burning questions heading into the 2016-17 season

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Paul Pogba of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Aon Training Complex on August 8, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Paul Pogba of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Aon Training Complex on August 8, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Manager of Manchester United, Jose Mourinho looks on during The FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Barrington Coombs – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Manager of Manchester United, Jose Mourinho looks on during The FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Barrington Coombs – The FA/The FA via Getty Images) /

3. Can Mourinho get along with the squad?

It may seem a little silly to put something so basic as a manager’s ability to avoid conflict with his own squad so high on this list. However, Jose Mourinho’s history makes the question entirely relevant and important to United’s hopes for the season.

The Special One doesn’t need to become best friends with everyone in the squad. He simply needs to avoid the sort of high-profile conflicts that have plagued him in the past. He cannot afford to pick a fight with another player of Juan Mata’s pedigree.

Unfortunately, he’s already managed to completely alienate Bastian Schweinsteiger. His banishment of the German hero sends a worrying signal that he hasn’t learned much from his past mistakes.

In the end, Mourinho can’t afford to lose any of his stars at United this season. He cannot endure  a star failing to work hard for him as Eden Hazard did towards the end of his Chelsea career. If he suffers from the same affliction this season, his stay at Old Trafford might be quite short.

Next: Which striker plays when?

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