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It was not too long ago that Sir Alex Ferguson led a team that blew their competition to bits, snuffed out their hopes and raced to the Premier League title with an 11 point advantage. But for United fans, that might feel like a lifetime ago.
They can't really be blamed. The post-Fergie plunge the club took saw them descend down the depths of mediocrity. Initially, it was down to David Moyes and his regrettable stint at Old Trafford. That was followed by the stubborn and old-fangled Louis van Gaal.
Manchester United, who were known for their ruthless pace and precision in attack, were suddenly toothless and sterile.
However, rebuilding is no easy task and United seem to finally have found the man who will guide them back to the good old days of gold in Jose Mourinho.
So let's get down to business and look at the 5 things that Manchester United are doing better under the Special One.
#5 Better transfer business
Manchester United have always had the clout to bring in some of the best talents in Europe. A lot of the credit goes to the absolute masterclass that Fergie was at United. Players dreamt of training under his tutelage.
But as soon as he left, United's struggles in the transfer market started. David Moyes could only bring in Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata. Fellaini was much maligned at Manchester United before Jose Mourinho started getting the best out of him on a regular basis. Though Juan Mata was quite a steal (especially in the winter transfer window), the transfer materialised as he wasn't part of Chelsea's plans for that season.
Louis van Gaal came in and given his pedigree, a host of players expressed their interest in playing for United. Subsequently, he bought Di Maria, who was at the peak of his powers in his first transfer window in charge. Di Maria wasn't the type of player LvG usually deploys on the flanks and this culminated in a lot of confusion. The Argentine left after his first season at United.
LvG also brought in Daley Blind, Memphis Depay, Ander Herrera, Falcao, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luke Shaw, Rojo, Darmian, Victor Valdes, Sergio Romero and Anthony Martial. While the incoming list looked impressive, only half of these players went on to make an impact with the Red Devils. But it's the outgoing list that was dastardly.
LvG was ready to slash anybody who he deemed not up to par on limited knowledge and this resulted in players like Chicharito, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra, Wilfried Zaha, Welbeck, Nani, van Persie, Di Maria all moving for ridiculously low amounts. It was not just about the amount of money they received in return but it was also the fact that he dropped the guillotine on a lot of quality.
But under Mourinho, United have made calculated moves in the market. Almost all his signings have impressed immensely and contributed to the team's revival. The Portuguese tactician brought Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly in his first transfer window in charge. In the subsequent one, he bought Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof.
United have also got better at negotiating sales as well and have now started offloading players only for a worthy sum. On top of that, Mourinho was careful enough to only sell fringe players and made sure he kept the team largely unperturbed with all the transfer business.
#4 Better in Europe
Manchester United are doing better in Europe under Mourinho's guidance. Under Louis van Gaal, Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages. Subsequently, they were kicked out of Europa League by Liverpool.
They were hardly showing any signs of progress and 9 years after their Champions League success in Moscow, United didn't even look like a shadow of that team.
But under Jose Mourinho, United seems to have picked up momentum. Even though the road was tricky and one that proved to be quite challenging, Manchester United won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League under the Special One in his first season in charge.
This season, United have got off to a flier and have already scored 7 goals in 2 group matches while only conceding one.
#3 Attractive, attacking football
Manchester United made a name for themselves in England and in Europe by being the unit that never gives up. They attacked relentlessly and were one of the most intimidating teams on the counter.
But after LvG took over and had his philosophy implemented at Trafford, United took their foot off the gas and instead started probing endlessly. With a lack of favourable results to vindicate the dull displays, the Stretford end chanted ceaselessly- Attack, Attack, Attack!
But all of that didn't bother van Gaal and De Gea soon became involved in passing the ball around just as much as anyone else on the pitch. All possession and no penetration made United a bland side to watch.
When Jose Mourinho took over, fans didn't expect it to change much. After all, he is infamous for parking the bus and being too defensive or simply put- playing it a bit too safe.
Instead, Mourinho bought into the club's philosophy and embraced it with intent. Even though United's incapacity to finish saw them drawing a lot of games, the football they played was suddenly exhilarating to watch.
Players were given the freedom to express themselves and this translates to attractive football when your team has players like Juan Mata, Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Nemanja Matic. (phew)
This is further evidenced by the fact that even though United finished 6th in the league in his first season in charge, one of the most captivating chants to emerge from the stands was,
Woke up this morning feelin' fine
Got Man United on my mind
Jose's playing the way United should, oh yeah!
Something tells me I'm into something good.
#2 Killing off games
This probably took more time to take effect but once United started ripping into oppositions, there was no stopping them. Jose Mourinho stopped sending defenders out to shut shop and suck up all the pressure. Instead, he'd send in fresh and brisk legs into the pitch and run the tired opposition defences ragged.
4-0 was, all of a sudden, the new 1-1 and Manchester United became the team you don't want to be trailing at the 70-minute mark. Like Thierry Henry put it,
"If you go 1-0 down against this team, they are going to punish you."
Manchester United had a goal difference of +25 last season. They already have a goal difference of +19 this season and we're only 7 games into the new campaign.
Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and even Marouane Fellaini have come to the goal scoring party and are having a whale of a time.
#1 Better man-management
Under LvG and David Moyes, United hardly looked anything like a cohesive unit. It's an old cliche, but too many players were out of favour and weren't shown any love, let alone tough love.
But Mourinho has always been admired by his lads. Perhaps his last Chelsea outing might suggest otherwise but if you look at videos like this, you'll get a better idea.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic came to Manchester United largely due to the fact that he'll get to reunite with his former manager who he believes brings the best out of him.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a tough time settling down in England and Mourinho took him off the first team and gave him time to work it out. When everyone started to believe that the Armenian had no place at United, Mourinho brought him back into his squad.
He went on to be one of the most influential parts of the team which won the Europa League the same season.
Anthony Martial was the star of LvG's second season. He was perhaps, the lone bright spark in an otherwise tepid United attack. But a change of manager and a change of system led to Martial blowing hot and cold.
Transfer speculations emerged in abundance and a 21-year-old player with such high potential was expected to leave Old Trafford. But Mourinho kept insisting that Martial has everything to be a great player but he needs to showcase it on a consistent basis.
Martial decided to stay put and Manchester United are reaping the benefits of that today.
