This Tottenham Hotspur team was everything Jose Mourinho wanted during his time at Manchester United
When Jose Mourinho was appointed as Manchester United's gaffer during the 2016-17 season, the side finished sixth. The following season was an absolute stunner as the Red Devils finished second and then the third season saw them slip four rungs to sixth place again. His last couple of seasons with United had moments where Mourinho had to defend himself. It wasn't pretty, but it happened, and ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Sunday fixture against his former side, there's no doubt most that these emotions will be coursing through the Portuguese manager.
The 2018 season was supposed to be that of United's ascendancy. Except a dismal season saw the side fire Mourinho. From pitch performances to player relationships, things were a downhill slide and these could be looked at as potential reasons for his exit from the side. Paul Pogba was United's talisman, however, his relationship was soured to a level he was benched for a few games with the manager citing form as the reason that not just saw them lose a crucial game to Liverpool, but also earned the wrath of fans.
Pogba at the time was the league's most expensive midfielder and having him warm the bench was a sad sight, but in Mourinho's defense, he did what he could. In his two-and-a-half years with the Red Devils, he led them to a Europa League and League Cup win as well finishing second in the 2017-18 Premier League season.
Now, what's different with Tottenham Hotspurs?
September and October of 2019 were months the Tottenham Spur was keen to forget. Their losses mounted, their rankings on the points table plummeted, the morale was dangerously dwindling. Daniel Levy, the owner decided to ring in the changes and started off by sacking their manager, Mauricio Pochettino in November. Taking over the reins was a figure the football world has had a love-hate relationship with— José Mourinho.
And the changes were immediate. Tottenham went from strugglers to a formidable side as Mourinho picked his players early. His relationship with Harry Kane was sublime and was a major contributing factor when the Spurs started winning. The North Londoners were a bunch of hardworking blokes in dire need of a manager who would go on to ask them to shed their "good boys tag" and play football the way it is meant to be— tough, but fair.
Even as the new season started, the Spurs and Daniel Levy gave Mourinho the wheel to Tottenham Express. They made smart buys during the transfer window while the boys on the field were wreaking havoc over the other teams. Their Europa League run so far has been spectacular with the side winning their four games so far. They're sixth on the Premier League table after three games that saw three different results. It may not have been a power start, but it's nothing Mourinho will be sweating about.
The pieces just fell in place. The mid-season arrival in 2019 meant Mourinho took the rest of the time to develop a relationship with the players. Harry Kane and Winks were the ones to most benefit. He backed the new arrivals to fire and fire they did with Steve Bergwijn's debut goal against Manchester City that saw them win 2-0.
Talking to the media ahead of the United game, Mourinho said he never had issues with the Red Devils. "I won what was possible to win, I didn't win what was not possible to win. I gave everything, I gave my life to the club and my professionalism like I always do." And while that may not have panned out the way he wanted to, his shot at another Premier League title just got stronger and hopeful with the Spurs. Should the side end their Sunday with a win, Mourinho's men will most definitely fancy a title shot.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur will be televised live at 11:30 AM ET on Sunday (October 4) on NBCSN.