With Louis van Gaal’s so-proclaimed ‘disappointing’ reign at Old Trafford set to conclude, it’s time for Manchester United fans to turn their attention to a third new manager in the space of four seasons. Years ago, this would’ve sounded absurd to the Old Trafford faithful, who were more than just used to watching Sir Alex stroll down the pitch and tap his watch when the time used to tick away. This changed to witnessing David Moyes cut a rather subdued and dejected figure, before being replaced by the silently-authoritative and control-loving Louis van Gaal take a place on his bench in the dugout and scribble notes that no one till date know about. And in a few weeks time, United fans would’ve to get accustomed to watching a man they once hated to shout commands at their players.

The recent FA Cup win did mean that the Dutchman would sign off in some style and his usually buoyant and optimistic mood wouldn’t be as forlorn as it would’ve been without the triumph. Two seasons under the Iron Tulip saw United finish fourth and fifth respectively in the Premier League, but it does seem as if the inability to make it to the top four guillotined van Gaal more than anything else. A brand of football which is dubbed was usually dubbed as ‘boring’ and ‘unattractive’ was a contributing factor too. Some accused van Gaal of sucking the life out of this once-great club and at a club where losing a game was simply loathed, mediocrity had become a new form of acceptance. The clunky and the drab style of football had affected the club so profoundly that booing had become something United faithful had to resort to, even at Old Trafford. And with Jose Mourinho coming in, United have to be really careful with what they’re expecting out of him.

The Portuguese gaffer, who was axed at Chelsea mid-season for coming into his own during his third season in charge, once broke down at not being appointed a United boss when David Moyes was dished out the chance to do so. Mourinho had hoped to take advantage of the healthy relationship he had with Sir Alex and expected the Scotsman to approach him for the job. He had scoured through all the media outlets during that period, expecting to see him get linked to the then vacant hotspot. On hearing that Sir Bobby and Sir Alex had serious doubts about his suitability of the needed toolkit due to his behavior problems et al, Mourinho had gone into what Diego Torres calls ‘depression’ for two days, in his book ‘The Secret World of Jose Mourinho’. But the fact that he was rejected by people who know completely what the club is about suggests what United would be having at their disposal.

The former Inter boss has won something, if not everything where ever he has managed. At Porto, who were a mid-table side during that time, he won everything there was to be won, including the historic Champions League title. He did that with a style of football that was focused more on not conceding rather than scoring. It was based on forcing the opposition to commit an error and then making full use of that mistake. During his first stint at Chelsea, where he won the Premier League twice, Mourinho deployed similar tactics for a Blues side which was again an unknown entity in Europe. The results were a product of counter-attacking football that involved a vast majority of his team dropping into their own half to defend. At Inter Milan, where the Nerrazurri were determined to shatter the hegemony of Juventus, similar tactics were used to get rid of the opposition and Inter’s win in the Champions League semi-finals over Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona testifies that. And Inter’s stature wasn’t as big as Manchester United or Real Madrid, the job he took up next pertained to dethroning Barcelona, who had rejected him back in 2008 for Pep Guardiola. And at the Bernabeu, which houses arguably the biggest club in the world and requires a manager to play counter attacking football and not back-to-wall football, this went wrong. There were internal crises throughout his three year stay.

There was a lot of favoritism shown towards Jorge Mendes and his clients, such as Angel di Maria, Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo and later Fabio Coentrao. The attacking flair of players such as Mesut Ozil was sacrificed and Di Maria was preferred in a attacking role in the forward three, while the German was used in the defensive trivote. Fabio Coentrao was used in the heart of the park, if not for Marcelo as a left back. The Brazilian was and still is, one of the best full backs in the world but Mendes’ Coentrao was preferred over Marcelo a lot of times despite of superiority. The extent to which Mendes held control over the club was so much that the agent had a separate office for him at Valdebebas.

During the 2010-11 Champions League semi-final stage against Barcelona, Mourinho had resorted to and had preferred to making sure that the Catalans’ reputation got tarnished over the fact that Real ousted Barca in the second leg. After blaming the referees and their inclination to Barcelona in the post match press conference following the first leg defeat, Mourinho was intent on libeling Guardiola’s side and wasn’t as much focused on progressing into the finals, says Diego Torres. It was Iker Casillas, who was continuously against Mourinho’s methods, who managed to spur the team on before the second leg after Mourinho’s libeling tactic had back-fired.

Players were told what to speak during the press conferences before hand, such that no one goes against what Mourinho does. Sami Khedira was once bashed openly after a defeat, much like how Nemanja Matic was this past season. It’s different that Mourinho used this to sometimes motivate his players such that they could perform better.

The ‘behavioral’ issues that prevented him front becoming the United manager back in 2013 are still there, as evident from his sacking at Chelsea. If things are going well, they go very well indeed. But if they aren’t going well, they go terribly wrong. Mourinho seems to have these extremes that seem to define him as a manager.

United’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace oozed determination that wasn’t seen under van Gaal before. Following it, or just when the victory celebrations were beginning to well and truly get under-way, news had broken out through BBC and Sky Sports that van Gaal will be replaced by Mourinho the very next week. It wasn’t something that United had confirmed but it was a reported leak from Mendes’ side that led to the breaking out of the news. Mourinho was recorded as not speaking a single word when asked about the deal. This clearly shows the amount of control Mendes wants over affairs at United, through Mourinho of course, much like how it was the case at the Bernabeu.

Looking at the enormous amount of control that Mendes had at Real, a similar amount of control over affairs at United won’t be tolerated by Sir Alex and Sir Bobby. The duo signify what United, as a club are and the fans are aware of it as well. It would transform the club into a business, if it hasn’t become one already. Although, the power and influence that Mendes has over the footballing world is considerable, but it will act as something that will annihilate United’ unique identity in the football fora.

Although, his tactics that coincide with counter-attacking football yield goals but it focuses more on the opponents’ weaknesses rather than his sides’ own strengths. And using a big club’s strengths is what the fans of every powerhouse club such as United or Real demand. Sitting deep and defending isn’t something United fans would like to see at Old Trafford. They demand attractive football, that is pleasing on the eye and expansive, which is something they used as a hammer to drill and a stick to bash Louis van Gaal every time United took to the pitch. Although, Mourinho did achieve the record of amassing a record goal-tally at Real, but it’s like judging a book by its cover. Even van Gaal’s United had glorious moments, despite of plying trade with ‘drab’ football. Although, both styles are aimed at scoring and winning games, but there isn’t much of a difference between both when it comes to adhering to what United fans demand.

Chelsea were used to picking up victories by defending with ten men and that’s a reason why they found it appeasing and satisfying. They won the Champions League back in 2012 with a similar style and the title a season ago too. But United aren’t used to this. They keep harking back to the times when the side was ‘great’. And maybe, coming out of the bygone era would help and would’ve helped if they had realized that no manager has a tactic that resembles Sir Alex, who was utterly unique. All managers have a different way of winning games. Van Gaal’s was different. Mourinho’s would be certainly different.

Mourinho is a kind of a manager who is one of the most unpredictable entities in the universe. Manchester United do match his stature but the match is as prominent as the amount of disturbances and disruptions that could embrace the club with Mourinho.

Manchester United’s past glories must be considered as mere antiques in showpieces. If United would to be great again, embracing a change in the way they will play football would play a massive role in it.