da imperador bet: Jose Mourinho now has the job he always wanted.
da doce: Manchester United have sold their soul in the name of much wanted success and will now pay the price for their vanity by way of Mourinho’s usual vocal, public views and remonstrations of one sort or another.
Whilst he might bring unwanted and unusual publicity to the traditional vestiges of England’s biggest club, Mourinho will also surely give United silverware and titles and a real stab at Europe.
In Mourinho’s red revolution, star names are making their way to Manchester airport.
Suddenly, Manchester United is the club to join again and that can only be down to the Portuguese managerial maestro and his record of achievement and charisma.
People in any industry like to be associated with winners and in Ibrahimovic’s case, those he’s worked with before and that can pay him his £200,000-per-week. Cynical? Well yes, a bit.
There will be issues to sort out prior to the start of a new Premier campaign, but what will Jose need to be aware of?
Who Stays And Who Goes
Whilst Louis van Gaal was thought to have made a couple of decent signings last summer, only Anthony Martial appears to have made any real impact at Old Trafford.
Memphis Depay has gone AWOL to many United fans and it can be supposed that Mourinho has had plenty of time to cast his eye over the squad prior to his announcement as United boss.
Whilst there won’t be a mass exodus, at least half a dozen should be looking over their shoulders that will bring in revenue and free up wage space, as Jose brings in the big guns he knows he needs.
Winning Over The Dressing Room
Way back in September last year, there were whispers of discontent in the United dressing room.
Players were being put into positions that were unnatural to them and in formations that didn’t seem to register come match day. The defence was shambolic, the results poor and this led to Van Gaal trying to hold onto some authority.
To win the dressing room, Mourinho will need to allow them to see that his ways work. A bit of man management, a bit of coaxing and his ability to get players to buy into his thinking will need to be in full swing as he takes control.
Up And Coming Young Players
Mourinho isn’t exactly known for bringing youth through into the first team. Already it looks as though one youngster has decided that Mourinho’s regime is not for him with a proposed move to a Premier League rival.
Other youngsters will be keeping an eye on the progress of last year’s star performer, Marcus Rashford. Depending on how Mourinho utilises him, the other production line candidates, some of whom have signed new contracts recently, will have a clue as to their own career path at United.
Wayne Rooney
What do you do with Rooney? Clearly, Mourinho likes the England captain, but where does he play him?
Rooney still has an eye for goal if he’s played far enough forward, but his midfield role for United last season has seen him develop as a number ten.
With Armenian Henrikh Mkhitarayn being brought in, is that role disappearing?
Restoring Club Honour
United have taken a few hits since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped aside. Under Moyes and LVG, the club have not moved forward, just sideways and backwards.
Champions league was always assured, silverware was always gleaming on the Old Trafford trophy cabinet and the title was always in sight, but not in the past two seasons.
Mourinho will need to restore the days of old and improve upon the results of last year’s inconsistent season.
It’s a good start that top names are joining up with the Red Devils, but turning individuals into winning teams will be the real measure and Mourinho is just the person.