Netflix sport documentaries have a habit of reopening familiar debates, and a new series on José Mourinho has done exactly that. One of the clearest revelations is that, after leaving Real Madrid and before the next season began, Mourinho chose a return to Chelsea rather than taking over Manchester United, a decision also confirmed by Ferguson.

That left United to appoint David Moyes, who arrived as ‘The Chosen One’ and lasted only 10 months. Mourinho, meanwhile, went back to Chelsea and won his third Premier League title there across two seasons. He later did join United in 2016, collecting the League Cup and Europa League before his spell ended in 2018.

The question is a straightforward one: what if he had been installed before the 2013-14 campaign? Moyes inherited a squad that had already lost Paul Scholes to retirement for the second time, while United’s summer spending brought in just three players. Marouane Fellaini was the headline arrival, with Juan Mata added in January as the season slid into difficulty.

Even so, the squad was hardly barren. David De Gea was in goal, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić still anchored the defence, and Patrice Evra and Antonio Valencia offered trusted options at full back. Up front, Robin van Persie scored 18 in all competitions, Wayne Rooney 19, Javier Hernández nine and Danny Welbeck 10.

There were also bigger possibilities. United had previously explored Cesc Fábregas, while Gareth Bale held talks with the club in 2013 before moving to Real Madrid. Mourinho’s reputation may well have made those conversations more persuasive.

What is beyond dispute is how badly Moyes’ United fared in the major fixtures. They won only one of 10 league matches against the traditional ‘Big Six’, finished seventh, and suffered heavy defeats, including two 3-0 losses at Old Trafford to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Mourinho’s strengths lay elsewhere. He was known for structure, control and results against elite opposition, and Chelsea’s own 2013-14 record underlined the contrast. They finished third, took 18 more points than United, conceded only 27 league goals, and advanced further in both the Champions League and FA Cup.

United may still have fallen short of silverware, but with Mourinho in charge, the outlook would almost certainly have been stronger, and Champions League qualification far more likely.

Chelsea have drawn a clear line in the sand over Enzo Fernández, making Manchester City’s interest in the midfielder a matter of price and timing rather than prolonged negotiation.

According to the draft, City would need to pay $162.1 million (£120 million) to tempt Chelsea into a sale, and any bid must arrive before Friday at 5 p.m. U.K. time, or 12 p.m. ET and 9 a.m. PT. The Athletic first reported the deadline.

That stance reduces the saga to simple terms, but the reality is less straightforward. Since March, Fernández’s future has carried plenty of uncertainty, with teasing comments about his plans leading to an in-house suspension at Chelsea. Since then, the situation has settled, and bridges have been rebuilt.

Xabi Alonso is expected to make regular use of the Argentina international if he remains in west London next season. Last term, Chelsea’s constant coaching changes gave Fernández more Premier League starts and minutes than any other player in the squad.

For City, the attraction is understandable, especially with the influence of Maresca’s appointment helping to encourage interest in a reunion with his former vice-captain. But Chelsea’s valuation is intended to reflect both Fernández’s importance and the difficulty of finding a replacement.

The draft notes that Chelsea would need time to identify a midfielder capable of contributing 10 top-flight goals while also leading the team for chances created and ranking second for possessions won. That profile is rare, and it would not come cheaply in a market already shaped by huge fees for midfielders.

There is also a tactical question. City may need a midfielder if Rodri moves to Barcelona, but Fernández is not an obvious direct fit for that role. He has often played deeper for Chelsea, yet has long seen himself as more effective in attacking areas, saying: “I’ve always felt comfortable playing near the goal, looking for pockets of space so I can create a chance or shoot,” he explained in the past.

Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi is mentioned as a more natural Rodri replacement, although he lacks senior experience. For now, Chelsea’s deadline is designed to force a decision, but it remains to be seen whether such an ultimatum will truly decide the outcome.

Manchester United and Chelsea have both reportedly declined the chance to sign Arsenal left back Myles Lewis-Skelly, leaving the teenager’s situation in north London looking increasingly uncertain.

Lewis-Skelly has already shown enough to attract attention. He started the Champions League final, but the match ended in heartbreak for the newly crowned English champions. Even so, Arsenal’s long-term picture still appears positive, though perhaps less so for the 19-year-old.

Recent reports said Arsenal placed a $60.8 million (£45 million) valuation on the England international and made him available to United and Chelsea. According to The Telegraph, both clubs quickly turned down the opportunity. There is also a “strong feeling” the defender has been offered to other clubs as Arsenal continue to move their homegrown talent, with any departure producing pure profit.

Chelsea’s refusal is understandable given their recent business. Marc Cucurella has left the starting left-back role this summer, but the club have already secured Pep Chavarría as his replacement. The former Rayo Vallecano player signed a five-year deal on Wednesday and joined Xabi Alonso’s project for a fee of around $28.8 million. Chelsea have now spent more than $400 million this summer, bringing in Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Geovany Quenda, among others.

United remain less active in the market, though they are still looking for a left back and a third midfielder after already signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Lewis-Skelly could have covered both positions, but the club seem to be waiting on Newcastle United left back Lewis Hall instead. They have also been linked with Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, who can operate in midfield and at left back.

Lewis-Skelly’s breakout 2024-25 season was followed by a reduced role last term. Mikel Arteta preferred Piero Hincapié at left back, while Riccardo Calafiori also took minutes in that area. That pushed the teenager into midfield, where he even kept Martín Zubimendi on the bench for the Champions League final and started alongside Declan Rice.