Manchester United vs Wolves: Reunion offers Nuno Espirito Santo the chance to reach new heights
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 22/09/2018 at 08:28 GMT
The Premier League this weekend sees a series of reunions, and none more fascinating than Nuno Espirito Santo's meeting with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, writes Ben Grounds.
Nuno Espirito Santo takes his Wolves side to face Manchester United this weekend
Image credit: Getty Images
Theo Walcott returns to the Emirates with Everton for the second time since leaving Arsenal while Brighton manager Chris Hughton will hope to add to his former club Tottenham’s woes at the Amex Stadium.
Slavisa Jokanovic said he left Watford in June 2015 because he felt he was no longer wanted, with the Fulham boss coming up against the Hornets in the early kick-off on Saturday, while Eddie Howe takes his Bournemouth side to Burnley, his 21-month stay at Turf Moor now a distant memory.
But arguably the most fascinating pairings of the weekend’s top-flight action has an acute Portuguese flavour, the reunion between Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho as Wolves take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Wolves manager played under Mourinho at Porto between 2002 and 2004 as his back-up goalkeeping option, and the 44-year-old is relishing coming up against a man he hugely admires after earning the right to manage in the Premier League.
Mourinho has lavished praise on his compatriot, and Espirito Santo said on Friday: "Jose Mourinho was my manager for two years - what we achieved for Porto will be in our memories forever.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/09/21/2423739-50373550-2560-1440.jpg)
Espirito Santo (left) played under Jose Mourinho as a goalkeeper at Porto
Image credit: Getty Images
"It's an honour that he speaks about me, but it's not about me it's about Wolves against Manchester United. Tomorrow what we'll see is two good teams of football trying to achieve the best result possible.
"To all the players that were in the squad (at the time) - he was a big inspiration. It will stay in our memories forever. But then things change you go on with your career personally - he was a big inspiration."
So impressive has Espirito Santo been since his arrival from Porto in May 2017, German newspaper Bild even suggested he has been lined up as a successor to Mourinho at United.
It is speculation the Wolves boss has been at pains to play down, focusing on what’s in front of him, and his side have shown they are ready to fulfil the pre-season expectations of a top-half finish.
The West Midlands club have had 78 shots already in the Premier League this term, the fourth highest behind Manchester City (119), Chelsea (94) and Liverpool (83).
Ruben Neves has looked accomplished alongside Joao Moutinho in midfield while Raul Jimenez has hit the ground running at this level, with his 10 shots in the past two Premier League games more than any other player.
Against Burnley, Wolves had 59 per cent possession and 30 shots to their opponents’ seven, and Espirito Santo’s side can play with the handbrake off ahead of an enticing run of matches against Southampton, Crystal Palace, Watford and Brighton.
Under Mourinho during the 2003-04 season, Espirito Santo watched on largely from the dug-out when the Dragões lifted the Champions League trophy against all the odds.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/09/21/2423815-50375070-2560-1440.jpg)
Ruben Neves was a seven-year-old when Mourinho won the Champions League at Porto
Image credit: Getty Images
Vitor Baia was Mourinho’s first choice between the sticks, meaning he took his place on the substitutes’ bench for all but six Primeira Division matches that campaign, as well as outings in the Taca de Portugal.
Nuno became a key man behind the scenes, the role of Mourinho’s eyes and ears in the dressing room. He arrived at Porto aged 28, knowing he would be working with one of the country’s greatest managers, and he was already plotting his route into coaching.
The Wolves manager has since made the Black Country feel like home away from home, and he will not change his approach against a United side who will feel their season has turned a corner courtesy of three away wins in all competitions.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/09/21/2423752-50373810-2560-1440.jpg)
Having taken a point off Manchester City, facing United will hold no fears
Image credit: Getty Images
Mourinho found a solution to United’s defensive problems by drafting in Marouane Fellaini alongside Nemanja Matic as a protective shield in front of Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof, while Paul Pogba has been allowed to roam freely.
The system has worked a treat in three away games, but the visit of a buoyant Wolverhampton Wanderers will provide an altogether different test. Mourinho is not surprised by the success of one of his former pupils.
“Last season they were dominant, and we all know it is not easy to be dominant in the Championship," he said. "Even if you have the best team, it is easy. And they were dominant from the begging until the end.
“They had a strong market. Great work. They have had a great adaptation to the Premier League. They have not just the points but the performances that makes everyone feel they are going to have a very stable season. Very far from the problems that a team that comes from the Championship normally has.
“Am I surprised by Nuno? When they are players, there are some that give you a feeling they can become managers. That team from Porto, I would say 75 per cent of them are now managers.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/09/21/2423742-50373610-2560-1440.jpg)
Mourinho isn't surprised by the success his former pupil has enjoyed in management
Image credit: Getty Images
“Nuno has reached this Premier League level by his own merit. He didn’t come directly – he came to the Championship. So, he earned the right. He has done fantastic work – the results speak for themselves.”
Mourinho may be tempted to select a more attacking line-up, being at home against one of the Premier League newboys, but Espirito Santo already looks like he’s been managing at this level for years.
Put simply, Wolves do not fit the newly-promoted model having spent £62.6million on 13 new players in the summer. There’s been a fearlessness to their playing style.
It has been a hugely impressive opening five games, with battling points against Everton and champions Manchester City followed up with back-to-back 1-0 wins over West Ham and Burnley.
Even at Leicester, Wolves were unfortunate to hit the woodwork on three occasions before an own goal from Matt Doherty sent them on their way to a 2-0 defeat.
The omens aren’t in their favour, however. Wolves are without a win at Old Trafford in 38 years, while United have a 100 per cent record from four home matches against this weekend’s opponents in the competition.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/09/21/2423744-50373650-2560-1440.jpg)
Adama Traore wheels away afer clinching the late winner against West Ham
Image credit: Getty Images
Mourinho has never suffered back-to-back home league defeats in his managerial career, but Espirito Santo will not change his ways as he goes in search of a third straight league win.
“We go there like all the games, we prepare ourselves," he added.
"We know Manchester United's team we know what we're going to face tomorrow and we prepare for the competition.
"We know how hard it'll be but we want to compete and put our ideas on the pitch. It's our idea to put what we do in training sessions in the games so in that sense we're ready for it."
While United have recovered from the early season concerns caused by defeats against Brighton and Tottenham, Wolves know that a third straight win in the top flight for the first time since March 1980 would take them above their more illustrious opponents.
It’s a testament to how far Wolves have come that United will treat this as a stiffer challenge than facing Young Boys in the Champions League in midweek. Mourinho will be without the suspended Matic and forward Marcus Rashford, while Ander Herrera remains out with an ankle injury.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/09/21/2423748-50373730-2560-1440.jpg)
Joao Moutinho has previously played against United in the Champions League
Image credit: Getty Images
The absence of personnel could force Pogba further back again, with Jesse Lingard and Alexis operating either side of Romelu Lukaku but Wolves will be able to field an unchanged side for the sixth successive league game.
United will be expected to dominate and play possession-based attacking football, which may also bring into question whether Mourinho should stick with Fellaini, whose aerial dominance and defensive focus won’t be as pivotal to proceedings.
Fred could earn a reprieve after an indifferent start to life in England. Full of energy but not always where he has needed to be, a duel against the technically gifted pair of Moutinho and Neves might prove the perfect battle ground to showcase his talents.
Espirito Santo’s side ran away with the Championship last season, and having already taken a point off United’s cross-town rivals, there is real intrigue to this encounter.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/09/21/2423746-50373690-2560-1440.jpg)
The Portuguese received plaudits for how he faced up to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City
Image credit: Getty Images
While the Wolves manager will have preferred to have been first-choice under Mourinho, he now has the chance to show his former manager all that he has learned, standing toe-to-toe with his mentor in a Premier League dugout.
Wolves have won plaudits for their expansive approach, and while this will be a big step up from victories over West Ham, Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, and Burnley, Espirito Santo will stick to the same tactic in his first trip to one of the Big Six.
“Since last season we did it, there was no game I recall that we changed our shape. That says a lot about the players' belief. If you change it doesn't make sense, no matter who you play.
“You have to adapt, you have to respect, you have to be humble and recognise you are in the face of a strong team. But you cannot be changed or have fear. None of those things are part of us, we go there as ourselves to compete.”
Ninth in the league and heralded for his tactical acumen, Espirito Santo has the chance to reach new heights in management against the man who has inspired him.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement