"SPECIAL ONE", OR "ONCE SPECIAL"; UNITED ARE PLUNGING NEW DEPTHS UNDER MOURINHO.

DIFFERENT TALES IN MANCHESTER, MAN UTD HELD BY ARSENAL, CITY WIN, CHELSEA GO TOP; ROUND UP OF ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION

SUPER-EAGLES SOAR HIGH; CAGE DESERT FOXES OF ALGERIA 3-1 IN UYO.

"SUPER-CLASSIC" BRAZIL CRUSH ARGENTINA 3-0 IN SUPERCLASICO

"MAGICIAN" COUTINHO STARS FOR LIVERPOOL, POG-BACK BACK WITH A BANG, AND KANE WHIPS ARSENAL; GOALS GALORE IN ENGLAND

BANG, BANG, BANG; UNSTOPPABLE CHELSEA ARE ON FIRE

ITS OFFICIAL; MANCHESTER UNITED ARE IN A ROT

Shorn of creativity, a misfiring and aged number nine, porous defence, lack of intensity, zero tactical plan. It is fair to say that it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for Jose Mourinho to solve the conundrums facing his current Manchester United side. Eighth in the domestic league, third in what should have been a relatively easy Europa league group, despite the abundance of talent at his disposal, this wasn't what United bargained for. This wasn't what the fans hoped for. This is something they cannot accept. 

Look away now Mourinho; United boss looks disconsolate as his side fall behind in the second minute to Moussa Sow's goal, in their Europa League loss to Fenerbahce, to compound his woes

A tale of two stories; while the Fenerbahce players celebrate their side's opener

Will it be fair however, to lay the blame for United's recent woes at the feet of mother Luck? No prizes for guessing correctly. Mourinho thus far has largely been the architect of his own failings.

The sight of world record signing Paul Pogba limping off in the first half would have sent shivers down the spine of the old Trafford faithful, which begs the question; why has Mourinho elected to start the young Frenchman in every single game—bar the League cup tie against Northampton—since his debut against Southampton in the Premier League, on August 19 ? With a wealth of options available in midfield, it would have been spot-on to shuffle the pack, and give Pogba a much needed break, away from the action, away from the spotlight, which surely would have guaranteed the Frenchman coming back fresher and fitter. But alas, it wasn't to be.

 World record signing, Paul Pogba went down injured in the first-half of the clash against Fenerbahce

 The United midfielder was unable to continue, and is now a doubt for this weekend's Premier League game against Swansea City.

Deep in thoughts: Wayne Rooney(pictured) looks downcast as United fall behind early in the game

Dutch International, Jeremain Lens sweetly taken free-kick doubled the hosts lead, and effectively put the game out of sight for Manchester United

The neglect or otherwise, as Mourinho might purport, of summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, leaves many fans and pundits alike running their hands anxiously over the center lining of their heads, in disbelief. On the night against Fenerbahce, in Turkey, he was introduced with United already two goals down. Really? In recent weeks, it has been claimed that Mkhitaryan is struggling to adapt to the rigours of English football, which makes it all the more baffling, that Mourinho saw it fit to finally introduce him, at the extremely hostile Sukru Saracoglu stadium—home of Fenerbahce—with his team trailing by two goals. Impressive timing? It couldn't have been worse. 

Let the football do the talking; Zlatan Ibrahimovic's on-field performance failed to match his off-the-ball feud with the Fenerbahce defenders

Tempers boiled over as United had a frustrating night in front of goal, at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium

Nobody said it was easy,but no one said it will be this hard; When you come to England behaving like you're the best thing since sliced bread, then you have to deliver.

With injuries to key defenders Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly, some might cling to that as a reliable excuse. But it was the United coach who sanctioned the sale of defenders Tyler Blackett and Paddy Mcnair, and deemed it wise to bring in only Bailly as reinforcement. You can't have your cake and eat it, as the saying goes, hence injuries to defenders goes no way in explaining why United had just three shots on target against Fenerbahce—two of those coming in the closing stages of the game— For a side boasting creative and flair players such as Juan Mata, Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Martial, the exiled Schweinsteiger—all of which would be the dream of many coaches, to have—the lethargic and clueless pattern of play on display at United is bang unacceptable. Failing to beat Burnley at old Trafford, being drubbed and walloped at Chelsea, labouring to victory against a much weakened Manchester city side, drawing a blank against Liverpool, playing a 1-1 draw with Stoke city at home, capitulating against Watford, the performances are becoming awry and painful to watch. With games coming thick and fast over the Christmas period, beware of the ides of December some will say. On current happenings, Mourinho has got to get Man United out of the rot they are in. He was brought in to steady the ship, but the waves are plunging the vessel into new low depths. 

That's how it's done; Moussa Sow's acrobatic goal had all the hallmarks to be deserving of winning a football match on any day—his goal put Fenerbahce in front in their Europa League tie against Manchester United

It is real Ro; United defender Marcus Rojo could scarcely believe the quality of Sow's strike, as the attacker(pictured in background) peels off in celebration

Failure to remedy the situation, and well, the consequence is anyone's guess. Weeks back, the Portuguese manager pleaded for time in getting the best out of his team, but time and tide they say waits for no man. The sooner Mourinho plugs the gaping holes in this Manchester United team, the better for all and sundry—not least himself— The time is running. Tick tock, tick tock.

FABULOUS CITY, NEVER-SAY-DIE ARSENAL: WHAT WE GARNERED FROM MATCH-DAY FOUR OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.