Can Jose Mourinho bring success back to Manchester United?

Manchester United is rightfully labelled as one of the best football teams ever to grace English football, if not world football itself.

From a railway team competing in the local football league under the name 'Newton Heath FC' in 1878, to becoming the global face of British football and record 20-times English champion in the modern era, United have seen it all.

After nearly facing bankruptcy in 1927 and getting relegated to the Second Division multiple times in the early 90s, United have risen from the ashes like a phoenix to become the first English team ever to participate in the European Cup in 1957 and eventually win the elusive European silverware 6 times, alongside a stunning 61 domestic and international trophies haul, amassed over their 140-year old rich history.

Brian Kidd and Alex Ferguson Premiership Trophy May 1996

Of the many legends that have sent the corners of Old Trafford into ceaseless raptures, one name that comes across shining emboldened would be that of Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Alex who took the charge of the Red Devils in 1986, shattered record after record in his 26-year reign as the manager of the club, making Man United a household name in world football.

However, since his retirement in 2013, the club has failed to reach the same dizzying heights with the subsequent appointments of David Moyes and later Louis van Gaal, though, after the rather unceremonious exit of the Dutchman in 2016, new hope has arisen amongst the United fans with the arrival of once-arch-rival Jose Mourinho.

Can Mourinho lead United to yet more success?

Mourinho, who has achieved stellar success across 4 different countries since his appointment as the Porto coach in 2002, has come to United with his traditional attacking mindset of giving-it-all, a concept which seemed to have gone incognito in the teams under Moyes and van Gaal. However, even after winning the 'treble' in his first season in charge at United, has Mourinho actually been the saviour for the Mancunians?

It's true that United have finally placed their hands on some silverware since the arrival of 'The Special One', however, United still look like a team which is yet come to terms with the pace of world football.

If we talk about the powerhouses in European football, one would probably include local rivals City as one of the top dogs, but do United still command that intense admiration that once made them a feared opponent?

Much closer home, United slumped to an embarrassing 6th position in the league last season and had to rely on their Europa League heroics to guarantee an entry in the Champions' elite. Premier League records show United had the worst record of 50 'Big Chances Missed', while also being ranked 8th in terms of goals scored with the lowly Bournemouth piping them to the top 7.

With the arrival of the proven Chilean Alexis Sanchez, Mourinho has issued a statement of purpose but will that be enough to bring back the glory days?

Only this season can tell.