Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho urged to be more attack-minded after Chelsea loss

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho needs to adopt a more attack-minded approach, according to Jamie Redknapp. The ex-Liverpool midfielder has admitted to being baffled by Mourinho's cautious mindset at United, especially given the star-studded attacking options in his squad.

Mourinho, 53, spent lavishly on his playing staff over the summer, signing the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Redknapp believes Mourinho should be more positive in his approach after his side slumped to a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

"What was the point of Jose Mourinho signing creative, exciting players like Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan if he's going to play so negatively?" the former Liverpool star wrote in the Daily Mail. "This is a talented Manchester United squad but they should be going toe-to-toe with Chelsea, not setting up to try to get a draw.

"In the first half, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford were playing as extra defenders in a back six. It's too defensive and the players aren't able to express themselves. Why is Mourinho leaving out players like Mkhitaryan and persisting with Marouane Fellaini? Is Mkhitaryan injured, or does Jose just not fancy him? Fellaini seems so difficult to play with and it's affecting Pogba's game."

Redknapp thinks Mourinho's defensive tactics may have created a negative atmosphere in the United dressing room, with the team having fallen woefully short of fans' expectations so far this season. "There will be questions in the dressing room over Jose's tactics and I worry that the atmosphere could become toxic," he said of the United boss.

"People are saying that the players have to adapt to Jose's style but I disagree. He must change to suit the traditions of a club that produced the most exciting team of the last 20 years."

After suffering their third defeat of the Premier League season, United are now six points behind Pep Guardiola's table-topping Manchester City side.