In a week in which Jose Mourinho needed to force a win, his drab Manchester United settled for a goalless draw against Valencia.

Mourinho's teams are supposed to be a few things: hard to break down, the winner of every 50/50 and devastating on the counter-attack. They are always, if nothing else, highly efficient.

In the same way that Mourinho seems to have lost some of his swagger - that cheeky charisma making way for scowling indifference and shoulder shrugging - his team looks devoid of impetus when it defends or attacks.

The shape

In recent weeks United have set up in a 3-5-2, a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 with various players occupying different positions, and few consistent partnerships. Marouane Fellaini has been excellent as a six, sitting as the deepest of a midfield three and lending his aerial ability and defensive mind to the back four when required.

In the latest episode of Mourinho's ongoing search for balance he set his team up in a 4-1-4-1, playing Nemanja Matic as the pivot between defence and attack. This was no 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 - Matic stayed in front of the back four as two attacking central midfielders flanked by two wingers pushed high behind Romelu Lukaku.