If there has been too much mediocrity, modesty and passivity about Manchester United in the last few years, at least there should be none of that this season. Both Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba could each claim to be the most talented, intelligent, individualistic and talked-about man in his field and of his generation. And they will sink or swim at Old Trafford based on their relationship with one another.
If Mourinho can get the best out of Pogba then United have the prospect of a unique talent hitting his stride at Manchester United, which has not happened since Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosion 10 years ago. He could deliver the Premier League, help them towards the Champions League, and re-establish United’s place at the peak of the European game. In doing so Mourinho would prove himself to be still relevant, still powerful, even as he approaches his mid-50s.
The last six years of Mourinho’s career have brought that into question. His spell at Real Madrid and his return to Chelsea were more bad than good: one league title at each, no Champions League final, and with each third season spiralling into conspiracy theories, feuding, dark energy and what Michael Emenalo memorably called “palpable discord” with the players.
Part of the story of this diminishing of Mourinho is that he finds it harder to get through to the new generation of footballers, who only want the carrot and never the stick. And when Mourinho does spark a reaction out of them, it wears off too soon.
That happened at Real Madrid and at Chelsea, most obviously and significantly with Eden Hazard. In Mourinho’s first season back at Chelsea he needled Hazard, in what Mourinho calls “confrontational leadership”. The second season it paid off. Hazard won Footballer of the Year, and the Premier League for Chelsea. The third season Hazard grew disaffected, Mourinho’s methods stopped working, Hazard stopped scoring and Mourinho was sacked.
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