Just when you thought Chelsea had the Premier League title all but sewn up, it's probably quite fitting that it was Jose Mourinho who handed his former team a defeat that has breathed fresh life into the final few weeks of the season. The Portuguese coach watched on as his Manchester United team dealt a blow to Chelsea's charge towards the title. While Antonio Conte's men are still in a strong position, the 2-0 victory was further proof that United are a different team to the one that started the year and one very capable of challenging for the title next season.
Following a mixed start to life at Old Trafford, Mourinho appears to have finally found his feet in Manchester, which could be an ominous sign for their rivals. He might not have been able to yet crack the top four and a return to the Champions League, with games in hand on teams like Liverpool and currently unbeaten in 22 Premier League games – United are perfectly placed to sneak into the top-four position. The in-form team in the division, a lot of people are visiting new betting sites and using their bonuses and free bets to back Mourinho's men at around 7/2 secure a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League next season.
With Champions League football on the schedule next season, Mourinho will be in a stronger position to attract new players in the summer – not to mention help keep players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the club. While he has been able to bring in players since taking over at Old Trafford, most notably Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, Mourinho hasn't had the time to build a squad in the same way he did with so much success during his time as Chelsea boss. A summer of solid recruitment could ensure next season we finally see United ready to reclaim their place at the top of English football.
This has been a fascinating campaign for United fans. Despite not being able to challenge Chelsea and Spurs at the top of the table, it's been very interesting to see Mourinho stamp his mark at Old Trafford. While there are clearly areas he will be looking to improve in the summer, there are some exciting signs that the future is very bright for the club. In Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford, United have two of England's most exciting young players, and the two have flourished under Mourinho's management.
He might not be a long-term solution but the way in which Ibrahimovic has adapted to life in the Premier League has been a real highlight of the season for United fans. And while Pogba's return to the club he left in 2012 hasn't been as phenomenal as many thought it would be, the Frenchman has shown more than a few glimpses of a player who could well be the backbone of United's success over the next five years. With a season of English football under his belt, Pogba may become the Premier League's most important player next year.
