If there is one story that sums up Mourinho’s time at United, it comes from the club’s 2018 pre-season tour of the United States.

One of the commercial opportunities during the trip was a “training session” at the impressive UCLA campus in Los Angeles with then-Late, Late Show host James Corden.

The event saw dozens of local children, coached by Corden, play against United trio Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Ander Herrera, led by Mourinho.

The recordings were scheduled for the early morning, before the scheduled team training.

Despite an early start after a day off after Mourinho added the event to the tour schedule at short notice, the players expressed their willingness to keep the promise.

But at the time of departure, Mourinho was nowhere to be seen. He had improved, the tour group was told. Upon arrival, security reported that Mourinho was in the dressing room and was not in a good mood.

Despite the fact that a number of those involved had been present at the location since the early hours, Mourinho’s involvement, it was emphasized, was at stake.

When I look at images of the event now, none of this is clear. Mourinho got involved, enjoyed it and, most importantly, made sure the youngsters had a memory to cherish, external for the rest of their lives.

Speaking to numerous sources about Mourinho’s time at Old Trafford, the contrast between somber moods and charm, which sometimes switches within seconds, is echoed by them all.