5 reasons why Jose Mourinho has the edge over Pep Guardiola

It may have come a season later than expected, but early indications are that it will be worth the wait. Manchester United and Manchester City are currently tied at the top of the English Premier League, and not only does this title challenge divide a city, but it rekindles the rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

Not since Real Madrid and Barcelona were slogging it out for La Liga bragging rights five years ago have pair found themselves head-to-head, and their experience and history only adds to the sense of excitement and anticipation over what is to unfold over the course of the next eight months. There is respect between both managers, but also a fierce rivalry and competition, and neither has the character to accept second place in this particular battle.

But while the pundits were swooning over Guardiola's Manchester City and their free-flowing perfect football last weekend, there is a solid resilience and determination in Mourinho's Manchester United side that suggests they are more suited for the varying challenges of the English Premier League. Both managers have invested heavily in their teams, and it is clear that neither is willing to fall behind the other.

Both managers have had a full season and a couple of transfer windows to fine-tune their squad into their respective visions, and having watched both sides objectively over the last couple of weeks, it is clear to see that both managers have implemented their respective recognisable styles. This is clearly now a title race that will decide which philosophy and approach is the most effective, and at the moment, Jose Mourinho has the early advantage for the following reasons.

#5 The level of expectancy

Jose Mourinho enjoyed European success in his first season at Manchester United

Although he will privately have a different ambition, Jose Mourinho is still repairing the mistakes of his predecessors, and providing his side continues to make progress under his guidance he will be credited with moving the club closer to former glory whatever they achieve. A sixth-place finish last season was boosted by success in the UEFA Europa League, and it was the subsequent qualification for the UEFA Champions League that took precedence over league placings.

Meanwhile, Guardiola was tasked with bringing the Premier League trophy back to the Etihad Stadium from the time of his arrival, and while a third-place finish confirmed Champions League football for a side finishing nine points ahead of their city rivals, it was not considered a season of success in the same way that it was for United. Guardiola's status in the game has come under scrutiny after he failed to bring Champions League glory to Bayern Munich, and he can only live off his Barcelona success for so long.

#4 Win first, impress second

Pep Guardiola demands footballing perfection from his side

Last season Guardiola became the topic of conversation in the English press after he celebrated the performance of his side after a draw against Liverpool. It was a statement and a reaction that said everything about Guardiola's philosophy and approach to the game. While most people saw it as two points dropped, the manager saw it only as a significant step forward in the development of his team.

For Guardiola, it is about the performance, and if the performance is consistently right, the results will follow, and more importantly, follow for the right reasons. Influenced by the late, great Johan Cruyff and an ideology passed down from the Dutch master to shape the modern-day Barcelona, it is the ability to play the perfect game that cannot be compromised for, or compared with, a result at all cost attitude.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho is a serial winner, and winning is the only thing that matters. For Mourinho, nullifying the strengths of the opposition is as important as playing to the strengths of his own team, and he has no shame in openly destroying some of the most anticipated games in the pursuit of victory at any cost. More often than not, such is his knowledge and ability to implement such a plan, it proves to be effective.

The English Premier League is far different to La Liga and the Bundesliga, and Guardiola's Manchester City will not always have the freedom to play perfect football against robust and difficult defensive outfits. In addition, the supposed lesser Premier League clubs have found themselves financially rewarded to a level that has enabled them to go out and sign top international players, and every team has the potential on their day to cause an upset, more than in any other European top-flight.

The difference between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in this aspect is that the Manchester United boss can shape his team to win against differing opposition, while Guardiola will refuse to compromise on his strong ideology and philosophy when it comes to implementing an effective game plan. It might not always be pretty to watch, but United will dig out more points than City when the going gets tough.

#3 A hungry Zlatan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to return to lead Manchester United before the end of the season

The January transfer window is likely to be a pivotal point in the season, but Mourinho has already grabbed an early sale. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a huge impact upon his arrival last season and defied his age to become one of United's most influential and important players.

His long-term injury means that he is currently cutting a frustrated figure in the gym and on the sidelines, but he will be back in time to push for the honours that United will inevitably be challenging for, and he will be desperate to make up for lost time.

And with Mourinho's side expected to be challenging on a number of fronts, his return will be a timely boost. There is no doubt that Guardiola will also be keen to strengthen his squad yet again once the window opens, but Ibrahimovic is already well-versed in Mourinho's methods and will hit the ground running with the team in the most effective of positions. Guardiola will do well to find himself a similar addition.

#2 Experience

Jose Mourinho won the English Premier League three times with Chelsea

Jose Mourinho knows what it takes to win the English Premier League, he has done it three times before with Chelsea. In addition, he has balanced European campaigns with title challenges and knows how to implement a title-winning mentality into his squad. Add to that know-how the fact that he has also won league titles in Portugal, Spain and Italy, and you appreciate his understanding of how to manage a long and hard domestic campaign.

Of course, Guardiola has also enjoyed domestic league success in Spain and Germany, but these are very different environments to the English Premier League, and also Serie A. Guardiola's Barcelona had stiff competition from Real Madrid and Atletico, but the team inspired by the likes of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta were unique.

Meanwhile, Bundesliga success is expected as the bare minimum requirement at Bayern Munich, and while Guardiola claimed three consecutive league titles in Bavaria, he was only judged on his lack of Champions League success.

#1 The desire to avenge the past

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have a long-standing rivalry

Finally, there is a score to settle, and it is a score that rankles with Mourinho more than Guardiola. During their rivalry in Spain, Barcelona were seen as the purists choice, and Mourinho's sour relationship with the Spanish press did little to improve his popularity.

While Barcelona redefined the way the game is played, Mourinho's Real Madrid were seen as the negative element when the two sides met, and the highly-charged El Clasico games were usually dragged down to Mourinho's level.

Even when Real Madrid stormed to the La Liga title in 2011/12 by breaking a string of points and goalscoring records, it was Pep Guardiola that claimed the Coach of the Year award. He was always the popular figure, and as the press and public increasingly turned against Mourinho, so Guardiola's status was elevated at his expense.

It was a situation that hurt Mourinho's pride, and his desire to restore his status over that of his nemesis will give him the additional drive needed to take his Manchester United side over the line this season.