Could it possibly be true? Are Manchester United finally on the verge of getting their shit together?
Since Alex Ferguson and David Gill left the club, and Ed Woodward, David Moyes and then Louis van Gaal took charge, the once unstoppable winning machine has ground to a halt.
Every move seems opportunistic and ill-planned. Every decision looks to be done on the hoof, with no long-term planning or strategic thinking. It looks as if that may be about to change.
It is common knowledge that the club are after Jose Mourinho to replace Van Gaal, with various reports claiming that the Portuguese has already agreed in principal to join the club at the end of the season.
But those concerned about the former Chelsea man’s propensity to join, win and leave, and his lack of legacy-planning, will be heartened by reports that a Director of Football is being targeted.
And not just any DoF, but rather the extremely well-respected Andrea Berta of Atletico Madrid.
Well-informed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has an exclusive story that claims United want to pair Atletico’s Sporting Director with Mourinho in a dream team that they hope will guarantee success.
Jose Mourinho, Andrea Berta and Jorge Mendes are going to destroy the Premier League next season. 🤔
— . (@Pogbaganda) February 7, 2016
Alongside coach Diego Simeone, Berta is credited with turning the Madrid club from woeful also-rans to champions of Spain and very nearly Europe. He is also extremely canny in the transfer market.
For instance, he signed off on the transfer of Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea, and identified Jan Oblak as his replacement. The former Benfica goalkeeper has proved an inspired recruitment.
Berta has also encouraged promotion from within the Atletico youth academy, with the likes of Koke, Javier Manquillo, Oliver Torres and United target Saul Niguez graduating into the first team.
Are Mourinho and Berta the perfect combination for United? Can the Old Trafford club even pull off the audacious double coup? The coming weeks and months will be fascinating.
