Manchester United vs Tottenham: Victory for Jose Mourinho would be doubly sweet over heir-apparent Mauricio Pochettino

Under the spotlight | It’s a ‘must-not-lose’ match for Mourinho at Old Trafford
Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Jose Mourinho’s latest trial by television will come against a man many believe is tailor-made to take up the reins at Old Trafford.

Mauricio Pochettino has admirers in the stands, as well as the boardroom, at Manchester United.

Should he oversee victory for Tottenham on Monday night it will plunge Mourinho’s United reign into crisis.

These are relative terms - but a second defeat in three games at the start of an increasingly troubled campaign will only intensify pressure on a manager who was showing signs of strain long before the season even began.

While it might not be a ‘must-win’ for United, it can certainly be placed in the category of ‘must-not-lose’ - especially against the back drop of Liverpool’s perfect start and Manchester City’s ominous form.

Mourinho will know as much. He describes himself as pragmatic - and there will be no way of sugar-coating a start of three points from a possible nine if Pochettino’s Spurs maintain their 100 percent record this term.

The Argentine’s expansive football and commitment to youth have made him a leading candidate to one day take over at United.

Meanwhile Ed Woodward cannot have failed to note the manner in which Pochettino swallowed a desperately disappointing transfer window, which saw Spurs fail to add a single player this summer.

By contrast, United’s executive vice chairman has been left to put out fires as Mourinho has bemoaned his failure to recruit a world class centre back and right winger in his bid to mount a genuine Premier League title challenge.

It has put a strain on the relationship between the two - placed unwanted focus on a dynamic that is pivotal to the success of the club.

United’s plans to appoint a director of football is acknowledgement of the need for change - and the summer window already looks likely to be a recurring theme throughout the season.

Photo: Man Utd via Getty Images
Man Utd via Getty Images

Perhaps Woodward (above, with Mourinho) would relish the quiet life working with Pochettino.

But Mourinho would be within his rights to compare his own achievements in two years at United with his Spurs counterpart.

Two major trophies and a highest league finish post-Sir Alex Ferguson, while Pochettino is still waiting for his first silverware in management, let alone at Spurs.

Mourinho believed United’s ascent under him demanded major investment this summer.

In his second full season in charge he guided them to second place. And even if City’s advantage was an enormous 19 points, he believed he’d done enough to earn the support of United’s board in a crucial summer.

Would a centre back and winger have been enough to make up the difference?

It’s not certain.

But effectively standing still is tantamount to heading in reverse in the context of Liverpool’s spectacular spending.

In Pictures | Brighton vs Man United | 19/08/2018

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For now, Mourinho’s immediate priority is to put points on the board - to shift the glare of the spotlight after defeat to Brighton eight days ago.

To do so against his ‘heir-apparent’ is just an added incentive.

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