When Jose Mourinho jumped to beleaguered Louis van Gaal’s defence in February, sympathising that he should be given time to get used to English football, even he might have been surprised at just how quickly his mentor has since adapted.
At the time, Van Gaal’s Manchester United were pleasing nobody but a run of six straight wins sees them march to Mourinho’s Chelsea fortress today with the master ready to beat his pupil for the first time.
If Van Gaal could orchestrate Chelsea’s third league defeat of the season and move within five points of the leaders – albeit having played a game more than the Londoners – it could yet inject a smidgen of uncertainty into a championship race which was beginning to resemble a Chelsea procession.
Especially because Arsenal, currently seven points behind Chelsea but having a weekend off from Premier League duty to concentrate on their FA Cup defence, will then host the leaders the following Sunday.
Alternatively, it could be the start of the race’s decisive week because if Chelsea win both matches, they will be effectively home and hosed, ready to savour their first title since 2010.
Van Gaal will have other ideas.
The Dutchman, who gave Mourinho his big break when he was coach of Barcelona and trusted his young assistant to the extent that Mourinho would occasionally take training and give team talks, has yet to beat his protege in managerial combat.
Famously, Mourinho’s Inter beat Van Gaal’s Bayern Munich 2-0 in the 2010 Champions League final and, when they met at Old Trafford in October, only a late, late Robin van Persie goal earned Manchester United a 1-1 draw in a game Chelsea should have won.
Now, though, United are flying and their former England full-back Gary Neville, now a highly-respected TV analyst, says that, though it will be the “toughest test” yet for Van Gaal, United’s performances this past month would be “absolutely outstanding in any season”.
Defensive conundrum
If United are to claim a seventh successive Premier League victory and condemn Chelsea to a first home league defeat of the season Van Gaal must solve another complex injury puzzle.
Midfielder Michael Carrick has a calf problem, Daley Blind sustained an ankle injury in a hefty challenge from City captain Vincent Kompany and defenders Phil Jones and Marcus Rojo also picked up knocks.
“It is the worst scenario,” Van Gaal said yesterday.
“Marcos and Phil can both play left central defender and Jonny Evans is also suspended so I do not have many choices.
“Daley Blind and Michael Carrick could play as a holding midfield player and I do not have another option. It is a puzzle.”