by Mark Weasley
When Pedro scored for Chelsea just 30 seconds into the clash at Stamford Bridge back in October, Jose Mourinho looked crestfallen. The 53-year-old Portuguese was already being put under pressure following his not too spectacular start to life at Old Trafford, and the manner in which he splurged cash in the summer transfer window. Since that defeat, though, The Red Devils have shown marked improvement, and would have counted themselves unlucky after conceding very late equalizers against the likes of Everton and Arsenal.
Top players are starting to gel, and a run of three wins against tricky opponents in the shape of Tottenham, Crystal Palace and West From have brought the confidence back to Old Trafford, and we are now just four points behind Arsenal, who are currently placed 4th. Mourinho has settled on a backline that includes the likes of Rojo, Jones and Darmian, players who were considered outsiders at Old Trafford already, following his arrival. He has galvanized his players, and they are looking hungrier than ever before to make this season a success.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has finally come into the side, and has shown flashes of his brilliance, while Pogba and Ibrahimovic are finally showing their world class status week in, week out. A busy transfer window in January beckons, as quality players could be added whilst underperforming players like Depay and Schneiderlin may be sold to make way for for new arrivals.
Chelsea look unstoppable in the title race for now, meaning United can count City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham as their direct rivals as we aim to make it to the money-spinning Champions League next season. All these teams above us all have weaknesses, and if United continue to win, we could find ourselves in the top four, a position which Jose won’t relinquish, as United look to be back where they belong: at the very top of the league table.