Manchester United are relaxed about Jose Mourinho’s potential to bring conflict and controversy to Old Trafford and consider him the closest equivalent they have had to Sir Alex Ferguson as a motivator, despite the club’s three defeats in a week.

Mourinho’s capacity to heap negative publicity on his clubs led Chelsea to encourage him to adopt a less combative profile when he returned to the club in 2013, though when the outfit struggled last season he was in perpetual conflict with opposition managers, the media and, to some extent, fans. Defeat at League One side Northampton Town in the EFL Cup tonight would heap more pressure on the manager ahead of Saturday’s visit of champions Leicester City.

United have no concerns about the Portuguese’s temperament and have been hugely impressed already with Mourinho’s capacity to motivate in the same way that Ferguson did. Though his incendiary nature was one of the principal reasons why Barcelona preferred Pep Guardiola as manager in 2008, an uncompromising stance characterised Ferguson’s approach to management, too. Mourinho is not seen as any different with his ability to circle the wagons.

His apparent desire to understand the culture of United has already seen him seek out Sir Bobby Charlton to talk in depth. Their time together is understood to have extended beyond the highly publicised – and seemingly choreographed - encounter on the car park at the United’s training ground in late May.

Mourinho has been appreciated by many of his players over the years for acting as a protective shield when there is criticism for players and this is what United see in him far more than they did his predecessor Louis van Gaal. It is understood that Zlatan Ibrahimovich is proving to be an individual in the same mould – a hugely influential dressing room figure already.

The test will come if United head into Saturday’s game with anything less than a win against Northampton, though. There are echoes of Van Gaal’s first season when United headed to Milton Keynes, 20 miles south of tonight’s venue, after a faltering start and in need of a win. They lost 4-0 to MK Dons in the League Cup tie which first suggested van Gaal might not have all the answers.

The club’s sanguine response to the early difficulties also stems from a sense of what Mourinho brings. Goalkeeper David de Gea turned away Real Madrid this summer for the chance to play under him. There was a prospect that the Spaniard would have left had the club come back in for him after their last minute efforts in the summer of 2015 failed but he made it clear this summer that he wasn’t interested in this suitor. It was embarrassing to have to tell van Gaal that BBC reports after this summer’s FA Cup final of his imminent sacking were true. But he was gracious and United have seen the benefits.

Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Heurelho Gomes - 7 out of 10 Made a number of good saves, looked good in the air from set pieces and could do very little about the close range goal – all round it was a good performance from the Brazilian. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Craig Cathcart - 6 out of 10 Done the simple things well and supplied a key element to a very strong Watford defence. AFP/Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Sebastian Prodl - 8 out 10 Was an influence defensively and going forward. He won a large amount of aerial balls and looked strong in his tackles throughout. Fantastic performance. AFP/Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Miguel Britos 6 out 10 He done well with the ball at his feet, but he was getting caught out from time to time by the United forwards. AFP/Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Daryl Janmaat - 6 out of 10 His effort rate was faultless throughout, and he got a good assist. He done well today and held his own. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Valon Behrami 6 out of 10 Dealt with Pogba well and patrolled the pitch well. He looked strong and comfortable in possession. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Etienne Capoue 7 out of 10 He continued this seasons fine form today, as he terrorised the United defence all dya and got a goal as a reward for his efforts. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Jose Holebas 6 out of 10 He dealt with Rashford well and looked strong defensively throughout. There was a joyous simplicity about his defending that closed down a number of United attacks. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Roberto Pereyra - 6 out of 10 He done well whilst in possession and proved a problem for the United defence, but from time to time he was making the wrong passing decisions. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Troy Deeney - 8 out of 10 He won numerous headers throughout, looked energetic throughout and scored the final penalty to seal the deal. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Odion Ighalo - 7 out of 10 Despite an early open-goal miss, he put a fantastic shift in for his side and his work rate is faultless. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings David de Gea - 6 out of 10 After repeating his mid week mistake, there is certainly room for improvement when it comes to his decision making. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Antonio Valencia - 6 out of 10 Looked quick and strong – he done the simple things right but passes at times were sloppy. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Erc Bailly - 6 out of 10 He didn’t see too much of the ball, but when was in possession, he looked comfortable and confident. His positioning was sometimes questionable. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Chris Smalling - 4 out of 10 After being brought into the side for his aerial ability, he failed to beat the Watford strikers and lost a number of balls in the air. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Luke Shaw - 7 out of 10 His speed was crucial today and he made a number of important challenges – looked good. Man Utd via Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Marouane Fellaini - 5 out of 10 Was brought into the side to patrol the middle of the park and win the aerial balls – but he was repeatedly beat in the air and made a number of questionably/risky challenges. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Paul Pogba - 4 out of 10 Despite an early strike hitting the woodwork, he struggled to find his feet and prove why he is the worlds most expensive signing. Passes were sloppy and his challenges were clumbsy. AFP/Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Anthony Martial - 6 out 10 Looked confident and was causing a threat until he was subbed for a head injury. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Wayne Rooney - 5 out of 10 Looked uncomfortable in his new position, but started to find his feet as the game progressed. Looked uncomfortable in possession and lacked attacking prowess. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Marcus Rashford - 6 out of 10 Looked lost on the wing and struggled to prove his potential, but his goal brang his side a glimpse of hope. Getty Images Watford vs Manchester United player ratings Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 5 out of 10 He had a few chances, but was unable to convert. He wasn’t as involved as a player like Zlatan shoud be – he needs to do better. Getty Images

Where Mourinho has differed from Ferguson is in his willingness to criticise players publicly. Luke Shaw, who has impressed this season, was among those called out by the manager on Sunday and Ferguson is unlikely to think this a profitable way of managing. This is one aspect of his management which has not impressed some United supporters.

“After a game I would always try to avoid criticising the players,” Ferguson said after he had retired. “They had enough pressure, without me piling it on in public. I save my criticism for the private sessions away from prying eyes. I tried to employ heat shields to deflect criticism from a player who had misplaced a pass that gave away a goal, or another who had missed a sitter that could have won us a game.

“It was always easy to give the press something else to write about – a couple of decisions that had gone against you - a penalty that should have won us the game, a long injury list or a pile-up of fixtures. Most players are mortified when they let down their team. My first inclination was always to defend the player and sort it out afterwards. There is no benefit in engaging in public hangings. It just doesn’t buy you anything.”

Manchester United players 'shocked' by Jose Mourinho's criticism of Luke Shaw

The substantial size of Mourinho’s squad means that members of the under-21s are unlikely to feature at the Sixfields Stadium, though Tim Fosu-Mensah, who was promising last season, may be an exception having fallen out of the picture this season.

There is scope for Mourinho to rest David de Gea and three of the players who were unconvincing in the 3-1 defeat to Watford on Sunday: Wayne Rooney, Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly. Michael Carrick could get a chance to demonstrate his capacity to offer balance and vision to midfield which has lacked the qualities.