Power Of Belief

Jose Mourinho says he doesn't want to be top of the table in August. He wants that position in May.

The Manchester United boss has been clear since taking over the job - he is here to achieve success and it is impossible to under-estimate the impact that such a positive attitude can have. It spreads and there is a feeling within the club that this team can achieve things.

When watching Mourinho's Chelsea win games through sheer desire at times, it was psychologically damaging when the Reds were in direct competition for trophies. The same feeling will have travelled across the globe among supporters of clubs harbouring title hopes this term when Marcus Rashford profited from Wayne Rooney's excellent work in injury time at the KCOM Stadium.

As the rain hammered down and a storm broke out behind the stand opposite me in the press box, there seemed to be real calm about the Reds. With the clock ticking, there was no panic, only wave after wave of attack as the Reds camped in the Hull half and started looking more threatening than the black rainclouds that had engulfed the arena close to kick-off.

Eldin Jakupovic hadn't been really extended but there was a purpose about United's play, even from the early stages with Zlatan Ibrahimovic providing positivity in everything he did. The same could be said about Henrik Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford when they came off the bench - two wonderful substitutions by Mourinho designed to take the three points.

When Paul Pogba curled just wide from a promising position, it seemed like United would have to settle for a point and probably entering the Manchester derby in City's slipstream - presuming the Blues beat West Ham on Sunday. Yet I still believed, I'm sure the away fans who kept on chanting and supporting their favourites, did as well.

As long as there was time left on the clock, United could win it. Rooney's magic created the opening and, when Rashford scored, the glee was obvious. Around me, Hull's fans showed their utter dejection at losing after such a brave effort but the truth is they were battered into submission at the death.

I now know the manager has said the same - he believed the goal would arrive. What I also liked about his MUTV interview was the fact he said: "I know when we score late, people will speak about a bit of luck." Note the syntax - when, not if. We grabbed a crucial late goal and we will win again.

I sense United fans have faith in the boss and the team. It is still very early days to judge but the will is there and, on a horrible night in Humberside, this will feel like a huge step in the right direction. Such victories feel worthy of more than a mere three points, they are psychologically devastating.

We approach the international break, counting down the days to the Manchester derby on 10 September. The atmosphere will be electric and the focus intense. But the belief in the red corner will be that we can deliver on the big day.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be considered as representative of Manchester United Football Club.

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