ClapIt’s time for some rare midweek action in the Premier League as teams up and down the division attempt to build some momentum to kick off what is bound to be an utterly chaotic month of football across the festive period. There are so many different ways that it could all twist and turn at the top and the bottom of the league, with Leicester mixing it up in the title race and Everton looking like they might actually drop into the relegation battle.
As reported by BBC and Sky Sports, though, one of the biggest stories of them all is the Mourinho derby as Jose prepares to make his return to Old Trafford for Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur.
The rise to prominence
United are struggling to really create much of, well, anything this season, and their hopes of qualifying for the top four already seem a little bit slim. Tottenham have been rejuvenated by Mourinho’s introduction to the club, although many wonder how long that’s actually going to last.
Mourinho had the following to say ahead of the blockbuster return.
“I feel good, I like to play big matches. I like to play against the best teams and that is the important thing.
“Going back to Old Trafford is to go back to a place where I was happy. I can say that. I have a great relation with the Manchester United supporters.
“I went back as a pundit, which is a different perspective. I was really humbled by such a beautiful reception.”
“Tomorrow I go back as a coach of the team that is going to try and beat Manchester United and that maybe gives a different perspective.
“I expect there is respect shown towards me, but I understand what they want is exactly the opposite of what I want – I want Tottenham to win, during the match of course I expect them to forget me and I expect them to support their team to try and get the result they want.”
Mourinho warfare
Nobody really knows which way this is going to turn, but the most interesting aspect of it all is the storyline heading into it. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the man who replaced Mourinho, and you could make the argument that the Portuguese boss could be the one to stick the final nail in the coffin of the Norwegian’s tenure as United manager.
Whether or not that actually happens is all down to the tempo of the game and how both teams set themselves up. Tottenham seem to be playing with a real intent from an attacking perspective, but they’re often vulnerable at the back.
Manchester United’s attacking prowess hasn’t really been on display all too much throughout the early months of the campaign, and defensively, they’re a little bit stronger than most actually give them credit for – although they’re still below par.
What does all of that lead to? An incredibly tense game of football which is what we all love to see.
