Could Mourinho be bound for Old Trafford?

WE HAD an excellent turnout at Wigan on Saturday — cheap match ticket and subsidised travel meant that nearly 5,000 could watch Chelsea away for £15 cheaper than a match ticket would cost you at Stamford Bridge.

We were also rewarded with a win, which of course is always welcome and when Belletti struck the second, and what must be goal of the season, we sat back and awaited the avalanche of goals.

They didn’t come and the remaining hour or so can be best described at “effective.” But it’s difficult to play pretty football with third-rate opponents crashing through the back of you every 10 minutes — especially when you are getting little to no protection from the referee (again).

Going back to that Belletti goal briefly. If that had been scored by Wayne Rooney, we would have had to watch it ad nauseum for the next three weeks on every sports channel on the hour, every hour.

Drogba had one of his “off” days but Carvalho was out of this world, again. The strengths of John Terry and, previously William Gallas, have been admired by many over the last few years at Chelsea, but Ricky deserves as much attention.

He has the effortless style of Marcel Desailly coupled with the passing range of Frank Leboeuf and he ensured almost single-handedly last Saturday that Cech only had one save to make all game. You also don’t hear him gobbing off in the press about the situation at Chelsea, nor opposition players/teams; something perhaps Jamie Carragher could take a tip on.

Speaking of that little twerp, I think he has a career in basketball should he ever tire of cheating on a football field. No doubt we will be subject to more of the same now that the Gods of the Carling Cup have inflicted yet another tie with Liverpool upon us. If ever two sets of fans are heartily sick of each other it must be us and the Scousers.

Alongside Carvalho, Alex isn’t doing too badly, but still has much to learn and we are missing John Terry. But only a fit John Terry will do.

Although it makes for good press to play with half your foot hanging off and a Phantom of the Opera mask, it is detrimental to both a long-term career and the interests of the team.

For “bravery’’, just read “plain silly.”

Still, when you have a nine-year contract signed and sealed in your pocket, I suppose you can take the odd risk or three.

Speaking of contracts now that Grant has seemingly settled into his role (there is even talk of a three year contract) shouldn’t the club be actively seeking a new Director of Football? It seems very unfair on Grant to deny him such an essential person to “help” him just as he “helped” José.

I have to say that I was concerned to hear that Fergie and Mourinho had been in touch with each other since José’s exit and Fergie’s snippets that the Portugeezer will be seeking employment on the continent next rather than England were revealing. I’m sure that old ‘Red Nose’ and ‘The Special One’ haven’t simply been discussing the merits of the wines of the Douro Valley.

If I were a betting woman, which I am, I would put money on José taking over the reins at Old Trafford when the old man finally decides to retire.

Then we will see the hypocrisy of United fans who will embrace him as the winner he is. I bet the press, too, will portray him in a different light now that he is disengaged from the Axis of Evil that is Stamford Bridge.

Last night’s draw against Schalke in Gelsenkirchen moved us closer to the Champions League knockout stages, something that seemed unlikely after that dismal performance against Rosenborg which marked the end of the Mourinho era. Everton this weekend — again one of those teams that on paper we should beat, no matter who our manager is.

Moyes is one of those coaches who I would like to see manage a team with a bit more money.

He’s done OK, but seems unable to produce that little bit extra. Most of his work is done with a collection of kids, journeymen, and the odd good player.

Exactly like us 15 years ago. It’s funny how things go.

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