Could Marcelo Bielsa get the better of Jose Mourinho in the Premier League?

By Sam Preston

Historical rivals Leeds United and Manchester United are now travelling in opposite directions.

For so long, the Whites watched on as a series of catastrophic regimes and managers failed to turn the club around while the Reds enjoyed a period of sustained dominance and financial riches under Alex Ferguson.

But now, United are the car crash. Leeds have an exciting, forward-thinking manager in Marcelo Bielsa; he’s moulded a young squad into the most attractive side in the Championship and created genuine hope of promotion this season.

If he gets Leeds there, he may face Jose Mourinho – if the Portuguese has not been sacked yet. He is the anti-Bielsa; the ultimate pragmatist who has nobody behind him at Old Trafford and only looks out for himself.

(Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)

By contrast, Leeds are finally United, behind Bielsa. But could the Argentine see off the Portuguese if they met in the Premier League? Absolutely.

Mourinho’s side are unbelievably fragile. Not one of its component parts functions correctly. Bielsa would forensically study their weaknesses – there would be plenty to choose from – and ruthlessly exploit them.

In front of a white-hot Elland Road, this Leeds side – plus some hypothetical recruits with the Premier League cash – would wipe the floor with United.

There is plenty made of what a ‘Manchester United manager’ should be. Well, Leeds United have one, Ed Woodward doesn’t.