United legend Robson urges Mourinho to put faith in defensive partnership
Wednesday 29 August 2018 12:01, UK
Bryan Robson has called for Jose Mourinho to be given time to sort things out at Manchester United.
Mourinho's position at Old Trafford has come under scrutiny after he oversaw United's worst Premier League start since 1992, with Monday's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham condemning United to their second loss in their first three league games.
But former United captain Robson has dismissed suggestions that Mourinho should be sacked, and has urged supporters to rally behind their manager.
"It's too easy," he told MUTV. "The minority of fans in clubs will be asking for the manager's head after a few bad results and it's often they speak the loudest.
"The track record that Jose has holds up. After three games, you don't talk about sacking the manager, you encourage and back him."
After Spurs inflicted the biggest home defeat of his managerial career, Mourinho conceded that he did not know his best defensive line-up.
Robson was left concerned by the United manager's comments in his fiery post-match press conference, which culminated in him storming out demanding respect from journalists.
In Robson's opinion, the key to United's recovery from their early-season slump lies with the establishment of a defensive partnership, not continual change.
"What I'd like to see is Jose picking two centre halves he trusts and see them for a run of games," Robson added.
"We need two defenders who know each other properly. Like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and others, but the centre halves have also always been in the team.
"It would be nice to see that for a run of games and get clean sheets."