Premier League In Focus: 5 things to look forward to in Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wonderers

5. Master vs Apprentice:

Nuno played under Mourinho at Porto FC

Nuno Santo was a Jose Mourinho player at Porto. They became a Champions League winner in Gelsenkirchen in 2004. And although not a regular starter under Jose, they both reached the summit of the European game together. That is something you cannot disregard. Apart from their nationality, they also have a common agent or the super agent himself, Jorge Mendes.

The win was launched Mourinho into the Russian orbit of Abramovich and his new obsession named Chelsea football club. Since Porto, Jose has claimed 3 Premier League titles, 2 Serie A crowns, 1 La Liga, another Champions League, and a Europa League among other domestic and international cups.

Nuno on the other hand, having only played six games in two-years for Mourinho spend a lot of his time on the touchline, studying and imbibing from one the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’. According to the Wolves manager, the man management of Mourinho is his greatest trait.

He won the Championship in his first season (2017/18) and earned plaudits for playing football the right way, going for goals and creating openings, football with intent and desire to entertain. His team seems fearless even against the likes of Manchester City etc.

He is adored at Wolves for all of the above and most importantly for bringing them back to the Premier League after a gap of six long years. He has an astonishing 36 wins out the 58 matches for Wolves.

Mourinho, on the other hand, lives under the microscope. His every move and breath is scrutinized by the zealous United fandom and ravenous media men.

Unsurprisingly, he shows pragmatism, stoicism, and even improvidence. His disarming charm at Chelsea has been beaten into a frantic growl and irascible body.

His philosophy is about the minimum, frugality and defensive solidity. Entertainment is a secondary aim and the primary sacrifice. To his credit, he wants to win championships and not just a game of 90 minutes.

Nuno has also been considered a potential successor to Mourinho, at least in some fanciful journalists’ minds. The Wolves manager has already nipped that Panglossian theory in the bud.

The disciple returns to impart a lesson of his own

Mourinho continues to be a role model to his former players and colleagues like Nuno or AVB. The thing about master and pupil relationship is that the pupil always wants to outdo the master and a win for Wolves at Old Trafford will send a few cosmic shocks through the footballing universe for certain.

Jose Mourinho predicts a ‘stable’ season for Wolves with manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Jose applauds the route taken by Nuno through the rundown of Championship (English 2nd Division) and deserves the accolades and stripes he has earned.