Jose Mourinho left Manchester United in December last year to elation from much of the club's fanbase.

But his time in charge at Old Trafford just keeps looking better and better with everything that's happened since.

For one thing, he keeps being proven right.

Mourinho famously started last season by declaring that his second-place finish in 2018 was one of his finest achievements as a manager.

That claim was initially derided - second with United isn't supposed to be an achievement - but everything since has backed him up.

United currently sit 12th, having won just twice in their first eight games and making second look a world away.

Then there's the fact that Mourinho was desperate to sign Harry Maguire in his final transfer window as boss, only for the club to sign no defenders.

One year later, Maguire arrives at the club for an inflated price.

And now it looks as though Mourinho was right about another thing - Fred.

The Brazilian has struggled since arriving in 2018 and doesn't look comfortable at United.

According to the Athletic, via the Daily Mail, that's exactly what Mourinho said would happen - he never wanted Fred.

In fact, the report claims that the only reason he signed the Brazilian was that he doubted that Ed Woodward would sanction the arrival of any alternative.

And so Mourinho was stuck with a £47m player he didn't believe would perform at Old Trafford and Fred with a manager who didn't believe in him.

Not exactly the finest deal United have ever made and in hindsight, they probably should have listened to Mourinho's doubts.

But then, that keeps being the case as the club struggles.

Mourinho did not enjoy a strong final few months in charge but they were certainly above what we're seeing now as United continue their worst start for 30 years.

Never mind second - sixth looks far away right now.