Under José Mourinho’s leadership, Manchester United has kicked off the season with two consecutive wins. Zlatan Ibrahimović is a force of nature, Eric Bailly is rock solid at the back, and Paul Pogba dazzled in his debut. The energy and structure of Mourinho’s Red Devils are a far cry from the Van Gaal era. Although only two Premier League rounds have passed, the distinct Mourinho blueprint is already firmly stamped on the team.

A key part of this transformation lies in the team’s towering central spine—Mourinho’s own version of a “sky tower” running down the pitch. In the 2-0 victory over Southampton, United’s central axis boasted intimidating height: goalkeeper David De Gea (1.90m), Bailly (1.88m), Pogba (1.91m), Ibrahimović (1.95m), and Marouane Fellaini (1.94m). Swap out 1.82m Daley Blind for 1.92m Chris Smalling, and the average height of United’s six-man spine hits a staggering 1.92m. This surpasses even the famously physical Stoke City sides under Tony Pulis.

Mourinho has always placed a premium on height, especially in central roles. When coaching Chelsea, he was once asked why he didn’t play Ivanović at center back. His response? “If your team doesn’t have at least five players who can win aerial duels, you’re going to suffer terribly on set pieces.” That mindset is clearly reflected in this new Manchester United setup—five of the starting central players stand over 1.90m tall.

But these giants are not lumbering. Ibrahimović, Pogba, and Bailly are all physically dominant yet agile and technically sound. Mourinho handpicked them for a reason. Even Fellaini, who was criticized under Van Gaal for being one-dimensional, seems poised for a revival. His imposing presence now looks like an asset, not a liability. When United lines up a wall, it’s like a fortress—Southampton found themselves staring down a wall of muscle and height, unable to bend a free kick over it, and forced into low-percentage shots instead.

This physical edge has already paid off. In the Community Shield win over Leicester, Ibrahimović out-jumped captain Wes Morgan for a towering header. In the Premier League opener, he dominated Bournemouth’s captain Francis. Bailly’s aerial control and defensive composure evoke memories of Nemanja Vidić. As for Fellaini, Mourinho praised him as “a nightmare for the opposition.” Against Southampton, he completely overpowered Dusan Tadić, who stood no chance in the air.

Daily Mail columnist Martin Samuel noted that Mourinho’s “giant lineup” will leave a lasting impression on Premier League rivals—often a painful one. When Fellaini, Pogba, and Ibrahimović rise for headers or crash through tackles, opponents may limp for ten minutes while they walk away unscathed. What’s more, these giants possess surprising footwork, agility, and speed—like sports cars with tank armor. The outcome of that clash is rarely in doubt.

Surviving in the Premier League often comes down to muscle and might. Over a decade ago, Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal thrived with powerful players like Patrick Vieira, Gilberto Silva, Thierry Henry, and Sol Campbell—athletes who could dominate both in the air and on the ground. Yet today, Wenger complains that the game has become too physical. As Samuel suggests, Wenger only has himself to blame for abandoning a tradition that once brought success.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has never wavered from his principles. From Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack to Nemanja Matić and Petr Čech, he has always favored physical presence and aerial prowess. Back in the 2003–04 season, Wenger relied on a midfield shield of Vieira and Gilberto Silva, both towering midfielders who combined aggression with aerial dominance. With Henry’s counterattacking speed and Campbell’s defensive composure, that Arsenal team once ruled England.

Now, with Pogba and Fellaini forming a double pivot, they resemble an upgraded version of that old guard. Bailly channels the reliability of Campbell, and Ibrahimović is every bit the clinical finisher that Henry was. Though Wenger and Mourinho have long been rivals with vastly different philosophies, their mutual appreciation for dominant physical players reveals a deeper strategic similarity—one that might just be key to United’s return to the top.