Manchester United have fallen from grace in the Premier League since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Despite spending lavish amounts of money in the transfer market, the Red Devils have been unable to mount a serious challenge for the top-flight crown since the Scot’s departure.
David Moyes was given just 10 months in the job as Ferguson’s replacement, although his United side recorded the club’s worst league campaign since the formation of the Premier League.
Louis van Gaal restored their place in the Champions League by finishing fourth in his first term in the dugout, but similar failings plagued the Dutchman in his second season.
United finished fifth behind bitter rivals Manchester City in the Premier League, while they were dumped out of Europe’s elite competition at the group stage.
The club did record their first trophy win since Ferguson’s retirement by defeating Crystal Palace to lift the FA Cup, but it was not enough to save Van Gaal, who was sacked days later.
Embed from Getty Images
Jose Mourinho has now been charged with the task of inspiring United back to glory, with 32Red at the time of writing backing the Red Devils at 4/1 to win the crown for the first time in four seasons.
The Portuguese has an excellent record in the Premier League in his two spells as Chelsea manager, winning the title three times six seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho always appears to have an instant impact when he arrives at a new club, and he has plenty of experience of doing so having managed major teams from four different countries.
He has won the league title in his first season at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, while he broke Barcelona’s stranglehold of La Liga with by winning La Liga’s crown with Real Madrid in his second term at the Bernabeu.
The immediate success will give United hope that they will be able to mount a charge for the title, although this will arguably be his toughest task to date given the intense competition at the top of the Premier League.
Embed from Getty Images
Manchester City had an underwhelming season under Manuel Pellegrini, leading to the club’s decision to replace the Chilean with Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard has enjoyed even more success than Mourinho during his tenures with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and will be determined to add the English top-flight title to his collection.
Guardiola will have no shortage of cash to launch his assault on the Premier League, with the added bonus of Champions League football, which could persuade potential targets to join his side ahead of their bitter rivals.
City are one of the candidates with bookmakers 32Red and Unibet to secure the crown for the third time in six years, with many expecting the Spaniard to have a strong showing in his first season in England.
Chelsea and Liverpool will also be reinvigorated as Antonio Conte will take his seat in the dugout at Stamford Bridge once his Italy side have completed their campaign in Euro 2016, while Jurgen Klopp will embark on his first full season with the Reds.
Both managers have excellent experience and have on titles on the continent with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund respectively, and will aim to break back into contention for the trophy after their struggles last season.
Champions Leicester City will also aim to prove that they’re not a one-season wonder, while in North London, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also vying for the crown after missing out last season, finishing second and third.
The three sides will be stocking up on talent, and also have the offer of Champions League football to lure players away from the prospect of playing at Old Trafford.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been strongly linked with a switch to the club, but at the age of 34 will not be a long-term solution in the final third, while Wayne Rooney will be 31 in October.
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are the young hopes for United, but both are still a long way from being the finished article and enough to build a title challenge around.
Embed from Getty Images
Mourinho has shown a propensity to rest on more experienced players after selling Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in his time at Chelsea, and it will be interesting to see his decision-making regarding the duo next season.
United were one of the better teams at the back in the last campaign, which was mainly due to the defensive style of play used by Van Gaal.
The Portuguese has the challenge of playing entertaining football, while trying to remain solid at the back, which could prove to be an issue given the club’s lack of options in the middle of the defence.
Chris Smalling is the only lock to anchor the backline as Phil Jones has struggled with injuries, while Daley Blind does not fit in the mould in which Mourinho desires in his centre-backs.
A move for defenders could be on the cards to see United fit into the Portuguese’s style to aid their challenge for the top-flight crown.
Mourinho has a proven track record in the Premier League, which could give him the edge over some of his rivals at the top, but there is no doubt about that this is his toughest task to continue his propensity for immediate success.
The post Can Mourinho inspire Manchester United to a Premier League title? appeared first on Mighty Tips - The Best Betting Tips.