Expert: Mourinho will emulate Sir Alex at Man United

Chelsea midfielder, Mikel John Obi, has defended his former manager and has backed him to bring silverware back to Old Trafford during his tenure.

Speaking ahead of the Special One’s Stamford Bridge return on Saturday, the blues midfielder told the Evening Standard:

“I have no doubts — he hasn’t lost any of his magic, not at all,” he said of the 53-year-old, who has made a stuttering start to life in Manchester.

“When people start to question his qualities, he loves to prove a point, he thrives on it. He always wants to show people are wrong.

“I think he will bring Manchester United back to where Sir Alex Ferguson left them [as title winners in 2013] but he needs time. He is like an architect, he likes to build.

“Jose doesn’t always win the title in the first season — just look at Real Madrid or his second spell at Chelsea.  Yes, he wants to win from the get-go but in the first year he gets to know how the club work, installs his formation and the way he wants the team to play.”

The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss will have been more than pleased with his side’s display, after a rough spell of form, when they brushed aside Fenerbahce 4-1 on Thursday night. The Portuguese will have been especially delighted with the performance of world-record signing Paul Pogba, who bagged himself two goals.