In the RoM charity season preview, some of the country’s top journalists spoke to us about their expectations for their season ahead.

1. Do you think things will implode sooner rather than later for Mourinho again?
2. How do you think he compares to Ferguson?
3. Where do you think United will finish this season?

Henry Winter, Chief Football Writer at The Times, @HenryWinter

1. Look, you know what relationship you’re getting with Mourinho: a full-on, passionate, whirlwind affair with some unforgettable nights but absolutely no chance of a lasting marriage. One caveat though: Mourinho’s always wanted this job. At press conferences over the past 12 years I’ve always felt Mourinho was looking out for MUTV. He never took on Ferguson, partly because of his pragmatism, but also because he respected United. Also, United are different to his other employers, post-Porto. There’s no obvious tension/agenda/politicking within. Plus there are players at United itching to shine after LvG.

2. Both accomplished in their own ways. Both calculating (although Ferguson does it with more charm). Both winners. Both foster a siege mentality. Both more quotable in defeat. Otherwise totally different. Ferguson a dynasty builder, Mourinho an immediate impact man. Ferguson more respectful of the Game. Both fascinating characters but Ferguson edges it for his remarkable appetite and curiosity for life.

3. Top three.

Oliver Holt, Chief Sports Writer at The Mail on Sunday, @OllieHolt22

1. I don’t think he’s changed. He’s too old to change now and in two or three years, he will leave United amid bitter recriminations and with United even more unpopular with those who traditionally do not like them than they are now. He will add fuel to the fire of those who think United are arrogant and he will build all sorts of conspiracy theories about the league, and the world, working against United. That’s what he does. But you know what you get with Mourinho and as long as United fans are prepared for that, it’s part of the show. Perhaps most importantly, I do think that he will give United a chance of returning to former glories. He has got the strength to sweep away the remnants of the Ferguson era and draw a line under them. United need a fresh start and he will provide it but don’t expect him to be around in 2020.

2. He’s totally different. He is not at United to build a dynasty. He’s not there for the long haul. That’s not how he works. He’s a shock jockey whose methods work in the short term and work fantastically but he blows himself out after a few years and his players start to see through his narcissism. If there is one worry for United fans, it is that the Chelsea players stopped playing for him in his second spell there. His ability to get the best out of his players, his ability to make them love playing for him, was always his unique selling point but it failed him the second time around at Stamford Bridge. He needs to rediscover that trick at United and in the club’s favour, it is stocked with players who will be desperate to believe in him after the troubled post-Ferguson years.

3. They’ve got a genuine shot at winning it and that’s the first time I have felt that since Ferguson left. That tells you a little bit about the power of persuasion that Mourinho has. I’m not a big fan of his as a person but it is impossible to be derogatory about him as a manager. He is one of the best there has ever been and I think he can take United right back to the top. He needs money to work at his best and United are swimming in cash.

Crucially, his experience of the Premier League should make it easier for him to settle than Guardiola will at City. City have a better squad and Chelsea probably do, too, but there is no outstanding team in the Premier League. At his best, Mourinho hits the ground running at a new club. He has ground to make up but I think the team that finishes above United this season will win the league.

Mark Ogden, Chief Football Correspondent at The Independent, @MarkOgden_

1. Mourinho just gets it. He isn’t putting out safe statements about wanting top four or talking of the need for time – Moyes pleaded for time so much that they should have just given him a new watch – and I think his ambition and drive will be welcomed by the players.

In a sense, everything seems normal for Mourinho, but he’s managed two of the biggest clubs in the world in Real Madrid and Inter Milan, so United is just the continuation of that.

Of course he will implode. That is in his DNA. Any notion that he comes to United a changed man is just nonsense. United will annoy people again, they will be hauled in front of the FA for disciplinary matters and Mourinho will be in hot water before you know it. But wasn’t it always like that under Sir Alex Ferguson?

I am sure fans would rather have a firebrand in charge than a guy who never went into the technical area because it was beneath him.

2. Mourinho possesses the same fire, drive, ambition and self-assuredness of Fergie. He is a winner.

United haven’t had that since Fergie left. I’m just repeating myself on Moyes, but he was never in the same mould and any respect the players had for him evaporated fairly quickly. Van Gaal was the same, even though his CV actually had trophies on it.

With Mourinho, the players will want to win for him, but they will also know he in full control. Players like certainty and leadership and control – all Fergie traits – and Mourinho has all three.

3. I think they will finish in the top two. They are not a bad squad, they have simply under-performed over the past three years.