To Mourinho’s future

Mourinho was the antiestablishment man, the upstart ex-translator who put the big beasts to the sword.

Now he’s a big beast himself, at the most “establishment” club of them all, and other younger, more modern coaches are out to knock him off his perch.

He needs to show he’s not become yesterday’s man. But does he still have what it takes?

What happened at Chelsea cast doubts over his carefullyconstructed persona as a serial winner.

His tried and trusted methods failed dramatically.

When his newly-signed contract was terminated three-and-a-half years early, his team were sitting 16th in the table.

There had been his ill-advised blow-up with the club doctor, a sending-off and subsequent stadium ban.

But the most damaging accusation was that he’d lost the dressing-room.

Chelsea Technical Director Michael Emenalo spoke of “palpable discord” between the manager and his team.

The common thread running through all Mourinho’s successful teams had always been his closeness to his players.

If he’s to restore his reputation, his relationship with United’s players will be the key.

In his 12 completed seasons as a manager, Mourinho has never finished lower than third.

It’s a record that suggests last season was a one-off.

We’ll soon see.