The new Jose Mourinho era at Manchester United has started with a trophy as his new side outperformed Premier League champions Leicester City to win the Community Shield at Wembley.

But let’s not forget that David Moyes managed the same feat when he took over at Old Trafford three years ago and that tenure didn’t end well for United or Moyes.

That being said, Jose isn’t known as the ‘Special One’ for nothing and he’ll be hoping that his rebuilding project at Man Utd can provide instant success.

His arrival has been seen as a big statement by the bookies and they’ve been made second favourites with odds starting at around 18/5 on them winning their first league title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Community Shield match winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a warrior leader who loves to win. His goal against Leicester puts all rival defences on notice as he can be quiet throughout a game and then pop up with a vital goal. The Swedish superstar certainly doesn’t lack confidence and is priced at 10/1 to end the season as the Premier League’s top goalscorer.

The imminent return of Paul Pogba will be huge for United. He’s the player that they had who looked like the natural heir to Paul Scholes throne, a midfielder who offers you everything from the engine room, yet he left without much fuss a few seasons back. Paying over £100m to get him back, shows that Mourinho really wants to solve the issues Man United have had in central midfield for the past few years.

As this transfer window nears its conclusion the £26.3m signing of playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan looks a real snip. The Armenian international was sensational at Borussia Dortmund last season, scoring eleven goals and creating fifteen assists in the Bundesliga. So you can only imagine that many a Fantasy Football gamer will have Mkhitaryan in their starting line-up.

Against Leicester City, Eric Bailly showed he’s a raw competitor who has plenty of potential. The centre-back looked good in the tackle and remained composed throughout. Mourinho helped mould Raphael Varane and Kurt Zouma into great young defenders and Bailly looks to be the next to shine under the Portuguese boss.

After the win over the Foxes, Jesse Lingered remarked that United’s new manager had told his forward players to play with more freedom and that could really help the side. Too many times under Louis van Gaal (United’s previous boss),  the team looked stifled and possibly concentrating too much on defending instead of going all out attack to win games. Those negative tactics also frustrated the life out of Red Devil fans and they’ll be hoping that Jose can continue these fluid looking tactics. That’s United’s history after all.

If United are to once again mount a serious bid for the title and even win it, then a lot will depend on the manager. Jose has been there and done it all before. He usually gets an instant impact and has most of the players buying into his methods. He will be hurting after his sacking at Chelsea last term and will be hoping he can prove any doubters wrong (again). Mourinho provides plenty of entertainment and is a popular betting option for the savvy punters. You can get him at 5/1 to win the LMA manager of the year award. While he’s priced as high as 100/1 to be the first boss to lose his job during this campaign.

As ever it will be a tough task to win this title.

Rivals Manchester City are currently the bookies favourites at around 13/5 to clinch the title. They are in buoyant mood after finally getting Pep Guardiola to take up the helm. The Spaniard will hope to get City firing from the get go.

While Chelsea have the impressive Antonio Conte as their new manager and the Italian has plenty of firepower to call upon, new signing N’Golo Kante shoring things up in midfield and no European distractions.

Once again Arsenal and Tottenham will be there or thereabouts and also look out for a Liverpool challenge lead by Jurgen Klopp.

Now many of you will be desperate to part with your cash and put it all on Manchester United winning everything but please I urge safer gaming. Remember that gambling can be an addiction and if you feel you have a problem seek proper help and advice.

Posted on August 8th, 2016 by scott
Filed under: *New, Article