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The ego plonked right on the table, there sat a dour Jose Mourinho donning the Manchester United track-suit with utmost disdain, his arrogant demeanour at the peak of its powers and the not-so felicitous expressions auguring a classically notorious press conference full of the Special One’s perceived jiggery-pokery as well as timely reminders of his lack of obsequiousness at the elocution classes.
Almost inevitably, Mourinho’s first press conference as a Manchester United Manager was full of slurs and sneers that had us all on our toes as the Portuguese spoke out his well-prepared prebuttal to announce his comeback to English Football and in some style. To say United have missed such moments of madness-filled brilliance since Alex Ferguson’s days would be an understatement, for the Mourinho-Magic has been craved at the Old Trafford with such intensity as is ichor by a God, despite all the Mancunian-hatred that he has invited towards himself all these years just as soon as he has got the chance to.
Perhaps, you could argue that he’ll soon be – if he isn’t already – a Footballing Demigod at Manchester United, but of a peculiar kind – the one who’s virulently hated for how he goes about his job and worshipped for what he’ll do if he manages to succeed at uniting United and glory following a transitional period during the highly underwhelming reigns of David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal, the vestiges of which are already being erased.
It is, therefore, no surprise that the mood at Manchester United has changed weeks after Jose Mourinho’s appointment. Not only has The Special One managed to transform the mental state of the fans from that of dissatisfaction and anger to thrill and excitement but also managed to attract the super quadruple of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba even without the lure of Champions League Football, such is the irresistibly strong sillage of the Jose Mourinho Fragrance. Staggering.
Contenders if not Favourites
Unlike last season, Manchester United can be considered genuine title contenders for the 2016/17 season, if not necessarily the favourites. In fact, the strengthening of the squad has meant a few tipping them to go on and win the title, which is, in itself, a testament to the extent of the capability the current squad has.
There’s the experience of David De Gea, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Chris Smalling on one side and then the young blood of Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Eric Bailly, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba (he’s still young) etc. While doubts may linger over a few of them actually living up to their name, no one can question their title credentials.
The Wayne Rooney Problem
Wayne Rooney’s is the biggest dilemma for Mourinho. If his Community Shield performance is anything to go by, he’d keep struggling throughout the season if kept playing as one of the two centre-forwards alongside Zlatan. Apart from affecting the attacking potency of the team, it’d also render both the strikers ineffective since both of them like to drop deep and are considerably slow.
Maybe, Anthony Martial – who is set for a complete season on the left-flank – might make the duo work better, however, that’s an uncertainty and that too a big one.
The Youth
Mourinho’s record in developing youth wherever he has worked makes up for a grim reading for Timothy Fosu Mensah, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford-like bright prospects who were one of the shining lights the previous season. Will the Portuguese give them enough playing time? Will he develop them as much as Louis Van Gaal did?
Historically speaking, the answer to those questions is a no. Jose never has been one to give the slightest of looks to the younger players within the club irrespective of the talent they possess. This is where the dark side of the former Chelsea Manager reveals itself in all its beauty. If he is a dream to play under for established players, he is also a nightmare for those who are still learning their trade. Don’t waste them Jose, don’t.
Prediction
Manchester United’s season won’t surely be any worse than those previously experienced – that’s for sure. The team is full of desire, hunger and the positivity required to have a great season, though, you can’t forget the “ifs” that United are dependent upon for them to achieve what they aspire to; this dependence could possibly be their undoing.
Final Position: 4th.
