Cool Jose is in the groove
It’s all going Mourinho’s way
With Jose Mourinho, the devil’s in the detail. For everything a reason, from body language to attire. here was no different — he has messages to send.
Before kick- off, in the jaws of Old trafford, Mourinho stood at the back of the tunnel. Every Manchester United player passed before their manager, who was chomping ferociously on chewing gum. it evoked memories of a certain Sir Alex Ferguson, and so did this result.
United had to wait for late goals off the bench but were able to rely on patience after a sturdy defensive display. they have not conceded a Premier League goal for eight hours. Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have been imperious.
Jones sustained an ankle problem, but appeared to leave the ground walking freely.
‘if we manage to have him safe i think potentially he’s everything i like in a central defender,’ said Mourinho. high praise as United’s boss downplayed maximum points, claiming he would expect to win every game with a full week to prepare. Sadly for him, those free midweeks stop soon.
‘When you start playing every two days, every three days, it’s more based on what you build during pre-season,’ he said.
Mourinho looks like a man who knows this season could be different. So, to the body language — shaking Craig Shakespeare’s hand before fulltime, edging towards the tunnel and then slowly making his way back inside with a nonchalant flick to the Stretford End as he disappeared.
No great celebrations, he was not overly emotional when the goals flew in. No, he was saying, this should be routine.
Leicester were accomplished, making Mourinho look to his bench for Marcus Rashford, who changed this game by scoring the opener and having a big hand in the second.
Rashford made the first all by himself, taking a ball from deep, playing up to Paul Pogba inside the penalty area and following his run. Demarai Gray was daydreaming and did not check Rashford as he went beyond Pogba.
the striker won a corner and then stood still 10 yards from goal while others jostled around him. Nobody picked him up, and when the ball broke to him he swept it past Kasper Schmeichel. Marouane Fellaini added the second and United won the game.
‘i think you get punished by any team if you switch off, and it’s something we need to put right,’ Shakespeare said.
the Leicester boss left Old trafford with a hand slap and man hug from Mourinho, who again loitered in the mouth of the tunnel in his tailored suit. Earphones in, mobile in hand, Mourinho was video-calling without a care for who was watching.