EPL 2016/17: I believe in Jose Mourinho, says David Beckham
Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham has backed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to bring back the glory days to Old Trafford. Mourinho is enduring a tough start to his first season at Old Trafford and the Red Devils are currently 11 points behind league leaders Chelsea, but Beckham remains confident that the 53-year-old is the right man for the job.
Beckham admitted United's dearth of success after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson was to be expected. “It was always going to happen," The former England captain said during a Q&A session at the Discovery Leadership Summit in Johannesburg. “We have had a tough few years, but we have had a pretty good 20 years. I believe in Jose Mourinho.”
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He also revealed that facing Sir Alex after a poor performance on the pitch was a bit intimidating and also spoke about his love for the club.
“We knew if we hadn't played well, the first person who would be waiting for you in the tunnel would be Sir Alex Ferguson. There was a fear factor, but it was a good fear,” he said. “You know what? I'm 41. I would crawl back to Manchester to play there again. But obviously, it's not realistic”
Manchester United won numerous trophies during legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s 27-year-long reign at the club. The Scotsman led the club to 38 trophies including two UEFA Champions League titles, 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups and 4 League Cups. However, since the iconic manager retired in 2013, United have only managed an FA triumph.
Following Mourinho’s appointment in the summer, Beckham had backed the 53-year-old to be a huge success at the club. “I fully expect it to work,” Beckham told Sky Sports in July. “With Jose leaving Chelsea and now coming back into the Premier League with United, for me, it is a great move.”
He is the third manager of the club in the post-Ferguson era after David Moyes and Louis van Gaal failed, however, Mourinho’s reign has not had the brightest of starts. Mourinho’s side won the first three matches of the season but since then, could only manage to register two more wins and have seen their title hopes fade away as each week passes by.
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Even qualifying for next season’s Champions League demands a high level of consistency from the 20-time league champions as they are now 8 points adrift of the fourth spot.
United have two very tricky fixtures coming up in the Premier League against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur and nothing short of six points is what Mourinho would want from his men.
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