Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho saw assistant manager Rui Faria leave at the end of last season (Image: GETTY/BBC)
That is the opinion of former Burnley, Bolton and Blackburn manager Owen Coyle.
Faria left his role as Manchester United assistant at the end of last season.
The Portuguese had worked with Jose Mourinho for the previous 17 years, starting as a fitness coach at Uniao de Leiria before being his No 2 at the likes of Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Ex-United captain Michael Carrick has moved onto the coaching team and is now sat next to Mourinho on the United bench.
The other thing that has probably been a blow to him as well is losing Faria, his assistant manager
Owen Coyle on Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has cut a frustrated figure to say the least in recent months.
He was not happy with the club's transfer business after they failed to bring in the centre-back he so desired.
Performances on the pitch have not helped either, with United losing two of their first three games of the season.
And Coyle, who was speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, says the absence of Faria could have made a big negative impact.
Man Utd news: Coyle says the departure of Rui Faria would have affected Jose Mourinho (Image: BBC)
Man Utd news: Rui Faria had worked with Jose Mourinho since 2001 (Image: GETTY)
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“The other thing that has probably been a blow to him as well is losing Faria, his assistant manager,” Coyle said.
“He’s been an integral part of the work they’ve done.
“He was always, for me, going to be difficult to replace, no matter how they tried to restructure it.
“So I think he is probably feeling his loss a little bit as well.