Manchester United complete Mourinho appointment – reports

Rob Conlon
Jose Mourinho

Manchester United have completed the appointment of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, according to widespread reports.

Mourinho’s appointment had been delayed due to complications with the Portuguese’s image rights, which were still owned by the Blues.

However, Sky Sports and the Daily Mirror are now reporting that all issues have been resolved and the 53-year-old has signed a deal to replace the sacked Louis van Gaal, who oversaw a dismal two years at Old Trafford, with confirmation expected to come from the club tomorrow.

Former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand has appeared to confirm Mourinho’s arrival in a post on his Facebook page, in which he wrote: “Congratulations to Jose on being announced manager of the biggest club in the world!

“This is Jose Mourinho’s most exciting & most challenging job yet.

“The first thing he needs to do is install ‘winning mentality’ back into the club. Get this ingredient back into the players but also the people that work inside the club day to day. Give them back that belief so it is breathing throughout the club again, which is so important. But doing the above in the Manchester United way is equally as important.

“I have heard many say the ‘Mourinho WAY’ is not the Manchester United style of playing football. However, the Chelsea team that Jose put together first time round when he entered the Premier League played with wingers and hurt teams with quick attacking play. They had the likes of Robben and Duff on the wings who were direct and quick.

“This is a sign he knows how to get a team playing in a way Manchester United fans can look forward to seeing.”

One of Mourinho’s first acts as United boss could be to complete the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after the PSG superstar refused to rule out being reunited with the ‘Special One’, who he played under for a year at Inter Milan.