After winning the Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League in his first season in charge of Manchester United, Jose Mourinho’s side made an exciting start to the 2017-18 campaign.
The Red Devils had started last season as second favourites to Manchester City in the title race, and the bookmakers’ odds proved accurate as the record champions of England did indeed finish behind their local rivals at the top. In the end, by some distance.
Come August 2018 Mourinho will be heading into season number three as the United boss and one that he may need to win if he is to see out his contract at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese coach has spent huge sums of cash, adding to a squad that David Moyes and Louis van Gaal had already spent great sums on. However, now having been in charge for 24 months, Mourinho has had time and money to build the squad he believes is strong enough to win the Premier League.
Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Victor Lindelof are just some of the names that have been signed by Mourinho, for either or both large transfer fees and a high salary.
With Fred already joining the ranks at Manchester United this summer, and with more players expected to follow, pressure will be on Jose Mourinho and his side to win back the Premier League title from a Manchester City side that set records last season.
Many don’t expect City to be as dominant as they were over the past 12 months, but do Manchester United or any other side really have a chance in stopping Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut?
United looked woeful in attack last season, despite having the likes of Lukaku, Sanchez, Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. However, the manager simply could not find a way to gel them together. With the World Cup taking place this summer, Mourinho will have less time than he did this time last year to work on tactics.
Manchester United go on a pre-season tour of America for two weeks straight after the World Cup final – meaning there will be very little preparation time for Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff in England, before the 2018-19 Premier League campaign kicks off on Saturday 11 August.
Is Jose Mourinho setting himself up for defeat? Or can Manchester United win the Premier League title next season? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
