Mourinho restores swagger at United
JUDGMENT was reserved until the final game of his maiden campaign, but in guiding his club to Europa League glory Jose Mourinho has restored the winning feeling at Manchester United.
There was little sparkling football at Old Trafford this season and despite a 25-game unbeaten run, Mourinho could do no better than a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
Yet by leading United to victory in the League Cup and Europa League, and with the latter success yielding a Champions League place, he has brought back some of the swagger that vanished when Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Mourinho, who described his first United campaign as “my most difficult season as a manager”, has appeared tetchy and grouchy in recent weeks, a glum, unsmiling figure constantly at war with the world.
But he seemed reborn when the final whistle sounded at Stockholm’s Friends Arena following United’s 2-0 victory over Ajax in Wednesday’s Europa League final.
A broad smile on his face, he played on the pitch with his son, was thrown into the air by his coaching staff and made some provocative gestures.
Mourinho was once public enemy number one to United fans, but after the miseries of the David Moyes and Louis van Gaal eras they have taken him to their hearts.
On a poignant night in Stockholm, coloured by vivid thoughts of Monday’s terror attack in Manchester, United’s supporters sang tributes to their grieving city, but also to their manager.
Mourinho, 54, said he was looking forward to taking a break from football, but he will not be able to keep his mind off United matters for long.
Goalkeeper David de Gea is once again being linked with Real Madrid, Mourinho’s former club, while veteran midfielder Michael Carrick and club captain Wayne Rooney may have played their final games for United.
Rooney made a late substitute appearance against Ajax and Mourinho said he would be very happy for him to stay, but United’s record goal-scorer has made no secret of his frustrations over his lack of playing time.
With injury having prematurely curtailed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s season, United seem likely to move for a new striker and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann continues to flutter his eyelashes in their direction.
“Ed Woodward [United executive vice-chairman] has my list, what I want, what I would like,” Mourinho said. “Now it’s up to him and the owners.” Mourinho generally hits his stride in his second season at clubs and he will set his sights no lower in 2017-18 than winning a fourth Premier League title and a third Champions League trophy. – AFP