If nice guys finish second, it is easy to see why Manchester United believes Jose Mourinho can deliver another Premier League title.
The appointment of the Portuguese to succeed Louis van Gaal was one of the most cynical campaigns designed to undermine another manager I can remember. Manchester United prides itself on being a club that does things correctly. It has been as underhanded as the man it has just employed and Ed Woodward, executive vice-chairman, has shown why, in the eyes of many of the club's supporters, he is only a whisker behind van Gaal in the (un)popularity stakes.
Stories about Mourinho succeeding van Gaal have monopolized the sports pages all year. It is obvious there had been some sort of gentlemen's — though I am loathe to use the word — agreement between the former Chelsea manager, his agent Jorge Mendes and United.