Jose has got Tottenham bouncing — now can he return to haunt United?
WHEN Jose Mourinho bounced into Tottenham’s plush training headquarters 12 days ago, he vowed to propel the squad back towards the top four.
He is staying true to his word. Tottenham were 11 points adrift of the Champions League positions when Mourinho arrived as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement.
Saturday’s win over Bournemouth, the club’s third successive victory since their new boss took charge, means the gap to fourth-placed Chelsea is now just six points.
The Mourinho bounce is in full effect, his 100-per-cent start to life in north London a world away from the gloomy final weeks of Pochettino’s reign.
Trouble is never too far away, though. Wednesday’s trip to Old Trafford will provide Mourinho with a more realistic test of exactly where his new team’s frailties lie.
The subplot, of course, is inescapable. Mourinho back in Manchester, almost a year since he was sacked by United, will make for an intriguing night’s entertainment.
‘He was there for two years but we just want to keep smiling and winning,’ said Son Heung-min. ‘We want to get the best result for him and for ourselves as well.’
Mourinho will not be getting carried away with Tottenham’s storm up the Premier League since arriving last month.
It’s true Spurs have plundered ten goals in the three matches he has overseen. But the fact that they have conceded six will eat away at Mourinho.
Even given United’s transitional state, any team’s defensive deficiencies are likely to be exposed at Old Trafford and the Spurs boss knows that better than most.
At Tottenham, the Special One’s ploy to use Dele Alli as a virtual second striker has been one of the keys to their resurgence.
His double against Bournemouth took the attacker’s tally to three in as many games. Alli lost his England place recently but if his form continues, then he will surely be back in Gareth Southgate’s plans when they reconvene in March.
‘Everyone is happy for him,’ said Son. ‘He’s still young, he’s 23 and lots of people expect too much from him. But he’s one of the best players. He got an injury last season and had to get his fitness back. Now you see the talent is there.’
Alli’s new boss was just as effusive about his form. Mourinho said: ‘He plays in a position where he feels happy and comfortable. We give him space for his creativity. He has played three phenomenal matches since I arrived.’
The outlook is not so positive for Bournemouth. One win in nine has added to speculation regarding
Eddie Howe’s future, with the manager touted as a possible contender for the top jobs at Everton and West Ham.
Of the managerial rumours, Howe said: ‘It has no relevance to me at all. I don’t see any problem with morale here. Every year we have had to fight to stay in this league.’