(Manchester United News)
Former Manchester United boss Ron Atkinson believes Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho are two of the biggest characters in the world of football management.
The master tacticians go head to head again on Saturday at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea in pole position to claim the Barclays Premier League title as they have a seven-point lead over Arsenal and are a further point clear of the in-form Reds.
Atkinson, a flamboyant personality who guided United to FA Cup victories in 1983 and 1985, accepts there is now a trend towards coaches with a lower profile but feels the game is all the better for having van Gaal and Mourinho at the helm of two of the country's biggest clubs.
"I think they’re somewhat unique in that respect," he replied, when asked about whether such characters are a dying breed. "A lot of managers are what you would call coaches at the majority of clubs but, by and large, these are two guys who control everything.
"You can put Arsene Wenger alongside them but these two are some of the most abrasive, if that’s the right word, because they are real characters.
"I think what’s happened now is there was a time when the manager would virtually control all of the club in conjunction with the chairman. Nowadays, there is a new brand of owner who has got people running all separate departments such as the Academy and the club is divided into an awful lot more components, whereas we had our hands on virtually everything."
Atkinson expects United to continue the fine recent run of form with another top performance in a major fixture on the back of the derby win against Manchester City.
"Going back three or four weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been fancying United at all but I’d be very surprised if they don’t come out of the weekend certainly without getting beaten," he explained. "I thought Chelsea threw it away at Old Trafford and got too defensive. They tried to hang onto a one-goal lead and invited United onto them. But they were playing very well and it’s fair to say United weren’t. I think United are in a bit of a purple patch at the moment and confidence is sky-high. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if United won it."
When asked whether Chelsea boss Mourinho may view a point as a big step towards clinching the league, Atkinson replied: "I think it depends how the game goes. If you go three-up and draw, it’s a different kettle of fish but I think if you said to Jose now, you’re going to draw the game, he wouldn’t be too unhappy. If I look at how they’re playing at the moment, scoring goals is a problem for them. I saw a lot of their last game and was very surprised they won it because QPR looked the team most likely to score. The other thing is they don’t concede really. If you don’t concede, you can always nick something."
Chelsea may be runaway favourites to finish the job during the run-in but the ex-United manager insists there is a remote chance of a late twist in the tale.
"You never know," he asserted. "It’s Chelsea’s very much to lose but, if United were to win another three on the bounce and Chelsea perhaps didn’t, then you also have Arsenal coming into the equation big time as well. It’s still a possibility and you’d be a mug to bet against Chelsea but that sort of thing has happened before."
