No chance of a title challenge
JOSE MOURINHO’S biggest problem is Pep Guardiola. In the two years that both men have been in Manchester, Guardiola has created sensational football that fans want to shout about. Mourinho is stuck in the past and does not appear to have any answers. Yesterday was the perfect barometer of where these teams are. Their opponents, Huddersfield and Brighton, are beginning only their second seasons in the Premier League. City lined up without injured Kevin De Bruyne, started regular pacemen Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane on the bench and won 6-1. United had a similar opportunity. Instead they fell apart. Mourinho’s players looked like the life had been sucked out of them, Guardiola’s players love playing for him. They take to the field full of ferocity and brimming with confidence. That is clearly frustrating Mourinho. His pre-season outbursts are a clear sign of his anger that rather than closing the gap on City, the gulf is growing wider. I cannot see how United get anywhere close this season, let alone challenge them for the title.