Thursday 13 October 2016

Three unfavourable fixtures but Jose is the ultimate big game manager

United head to Anfield on Monday to face Jurgen Klopp's in-form outfit in the first of three huge fixtures in October.

The Reds of Manchester and Merseyside collide again with United having enjoyed a fine run of form over our old rivals- last season's Europa League double-header apart- with four successive league wins. 

When the fixtures were released in June, the eyes of every United fan was drawn to a mouth-watering month with the Anfield trip quickly followed by Chelsea away as Jose returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since being sacked last December. 

As if those two blockbuster fixtures weren't enough to whet our appetites, the draw for the fourth round of the League Cup threw up an even more enticing prospect with the second Manchester derby in the space of six weeks to take place at Old Trafford on the 26th. 

United have had something of an up and down season so far with three opening wins followed by three straight defeats before then picking up another runs of wins ended by the 1-1 draw with Stoke last time out.

Chelsea, who we face in West London on the 23rd, ended a similar indifferent run at Hull with a 2-0 win that came after back-to-back defeats at Arsenal and at home to Liverpool, with Conte's side having also won their opening three league encounters.

Klopp's side have endured no such inconsistencies, however, going into our Anfield clash with five successive victories in all competitions and a 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Burnley the only blot on their copybook. 

With Liverpool and City both in fine form and Chelsea finding their feet again, these fixtures may look difficult and unfavourable but United couldn't wish for a better man in charge when it comes to beating the big boys. 

Mourinho is the ultimate 'big game' manager and loves nothing more than beating his side's adversaries (just ask Arsene Wenger).
He is a winner, driven by a hatred of seeing others succeed and, more often than not, gets his tactics spot on and the job done when it comes to the crunch. 

The last time United came up against a Jose side came in April 2015 and it was vintage Mourinho: a deep, narrow back four soaked up attack after attack from a dominant United and Chelsea stole a smash and grab victory in typically pragmatic style. 

In his five full seasons at Stamford Bridge, he lost only two of 30 matches against sides that went on to finish in the top four that season. 

Bring it on! 


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