It has been a miserable three years for all United
fans, but the arrival of the 'Special One' on Friday means that
supporters can once again dream of winning major trophies
Cynics
might point to the combustible character, the breakdown of relations in
his Chelsea dressing room, the Eva Carneiro saga, the functional rather
than fantastic football or the Iker Casillas ostracism. But Jose
Mourinho’s arrival at Old Trafford also brings the prospect of a
Manchester United which can challenge at the top once again.
Since
Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Manchester United have not been
Manchester United. David Moyes’ appointment came from a commendable but
failed line of thinking. They wanted to repeat the successes of Sir
Alex’s arrival in 1986 but hadn’t taken into account the changed
standing of the club - and of football in general.
One year on,
Louis van Gaal came in with experience of winning at the top end but the
Dutchman was two decades removed from his most convincing spell of
successful, expressive football with Ajax. What United got was a stunted
brand of possession football which did little to thrill the masses.
Under
Mourinho, there is no guarantee that the football will be free-flowing
and easy on the eye, but there is every reason to believe that United
will challenge for major trophies once more. There will at least be
urgency, there will be willing, there will be passion, there will be
desire and commitment.
All the things that irked Stretford Enders
most will be addressed now that the Portuguese is in charge. United
fans will finally see a club which is pulling in the same direction as
them once more. No more being told they are expecting too much by a
manager who claims fans are led by the whims of ex-players.
Instead, Mourinho will demand even more from his side than even the
staunchest of supporters. And more than anything, United will be
relevant again. It is one thing to not deliver the brand of football
that fans prefer, but it is quite another to not come close to
challenging for a major trophy.
The decision to stick by Van Gaal
until the 2015-16 season was out was understandable, and while some
would argue that an earlier move for Mourinho might have seen United
make the top four he arrives now free from baggage. United can also be
safe in the knowledge that they gave the Dutchman everything they could
to help him to be successful.
Mourinho might not have wanted the
time off, and the prospect of Europa League football is not ideal, but
Jose now gets the chance to make his mark with his own squad. The summer
ahead gives him the chance to root out the chaff and bring in some
wheat, and he will surely ensure that the absence from the Champions
League will be a temporary one.
The 53-year-old might well have
fallen flat on his face at the tail end of his second Chelsea spell, but
lessons have doubtless been learned. When it comes down to it, this man
is a winner and the 2015-16 nightmare was the exception that largely
proves the rule.
The appointment of a Mauricio Pocchettino or
even a Ryan Giggs might have done more to bring back the style of
football that United fans love most, but Mourinho is a walking headline
who will ensure they are not forgotten as a force. United need to get
back in the reckoning when league titles and European honours are handed
out, and his track record in that regard is as good as anybody’s.
Those
Manchester United supporters who had once become used to being regarded
as the spoilt, smug, serial winners have had a few years on the other
side of the fence and it hasn’t felt good.
Source: Goal.com