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Jose Mourinho unveiled as Manchester United manager

July 5, 2016

Jose Mourinho is nothing if not confident. He espoused his winning mindset in his first press conference as Manchester United manager. The 53-year-old is certain he will live up to the high expectations of his new fans.

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Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/N. Roddis

New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he is the man to return the club to their previous dominance.

United, who will not be in the Champions League this term, last won the English Premier League title in 2013 and have got through David Moyes and Louis van Gaal since the retirement of Alex Ferguson.

"For United fans, for many years, success was just routine," said Mourinho. "The last three years, I want to forget."

He was fired as Chelsea's manager last term, a season after winning the Premier League title. The Portuguese said he does not feel any extra pressure after his sacking.

"There are some managers who the last time they won a title was 10 years ago. Some of them, the last time they won a title was never," Mourinho said. "If I have a lot to prove, imagine the others."

Guardiola rivalry

Mourinho's cross city rival, Pep Guardiola, was introduced Sunday as Manchester City's manager. The two coaches are set to restart the rivalry they had in La Liga from 2010 to 2012, when Mourinho was at Real Madrid and Guardiola at Barcelona.

Fußball Trainer Jose Mourinho und Josep Guardiola
Image: picture-alliance/Pressefoto/M. Ulmer

Mourinho played down the animosity.

"To speak about one manager, one club and I don't like the word, but one enemy, is not right," said Mourinho.

"If you focus on one team or one opponent then the other ones will be laughing so I won't be a part of it."

Manchester United have already acquired two players during the transfer window – Villarreal defender Eric Bailly and former Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Borussia Dortmund confirmed on Saturday that Henrikh Mkhitaryan was heading to the Red Devils, though Manchester United have yet to announce the transfer.

Business may not be finished for the English club though, with Mourinho hinting they are looking to sign a fourth player.

"We made a nucleus of four priorities, four positions, to give a certain balance to the squad and a certain push in terms of quality and in terms of the qualities that I need and want," said Mourinho.

"We decided four targets," the manager continued. "Until we have the fourth we are still working hard."

dv/mm (Reuters, AP)