10 Things We Learned From Jose Mourinho's Sensational First Manchester United Press Conference

The Portuguese addressed reporters for the first time in his new role and wasted no time in getting his views across.

Well that was predictably excellent.

We have known for years that Jose Mourinho gives excellent press conference, but his opening salvo as Manchester United manager was something to savour.

In the space of 25-odd minutes, the Portuguese held forth on United’s struggles, the state of the squad, his record bringing through young players and plenty more besides.

There were subtle digs at Arsene Wenger, Louis van Gaal and Pep Guardiola, plus an assessment of where he sees Wayne Rooney’s future.

1. Mourinho proud and excited but calm

Dressed all in black, Mourinho cut a relaxed figure as he made his way into the Old Trafford press room. There was a brief hello – and a notice about fire alarms from United’s press officer – and soon it was down to business.

His opening statement conveyed his pride at finally landing a job he coveted for so long, but there was no real hyperbole. “I’m arriving into a club that is difficult to describe,” he said.

“I don’t like the saying many times that this is the ‘dream job’… this is not the dream job, it is the reality.”

“The reality is that it is a job everyone wants and not many had a chance to have. I have it and I know the responsibility, the expectations. I know the legacy, what is behind me. I know the history of this club, what the fans expect from me.”

“This challenge doesn’t take me nervous because my history in the last 10 years was to meet big clubs’ expectations. I think it comes in the right moment in my career. I am very calm, very stable and with the right motivation.”

“I am where I want to be. I want to be at this club, in this country, in the Premier League.”

United fans will be pleased that he is in such a good state of mind as he begins this new adventure.

2. Returning to the Champions League is the priority

There was no talk of a title bid, but Mourinho did speak of objectives for next season. The priority for United, he said, is to return to Europe’s elite club competition as soon as possible.

“I feel a bit frustrated that I am not playing in the Champions League,” he admitted.

“I don’t hide that I am chasing Sir Alex Ferguson’s record in the Champions League in terms of matches. I [have] around 130, a few more or less, but I hope it is only one season we are not there.”

“Man United is a Champions League club and we have to make sure that in July 2017, instead of going for the Europa League play-offs and then the group draw, we [are] where this club has to be, which is the Champions League.”

He did concede, however, that he will eventually set his sights higher than mere qualification:

“I don’t want the players to think we have to do better and finish fourth. Finishing fourth is not the aim.”

3. He wasn’t impressed by Van Gaal

Most United fans had fallen out of love with Van Gaal by the time his reign came to an end, bored to tears by the dull brand of football on display at Old Trafford.

Mourinho certainly didn’t go to any great lengths to talk up the Dutchman’s work at the club, aiming a not-so-subtle barb at his predecessor early on in the press conference.

“I was never very good at hiding behind words and hiding behind philosophies,” the new manager said.

“I never tried to be good at that. I was always more aggressive in my approach, with the risks that can being.”

“It would be easy, honest and pragmatic for me to focus on the last three years – the fact we don’t qualify for the Champions League – and say ‘let’s try to improve’. I prefer to be more aggressive and to be more aggressive is to say we want to win, we want to win.”

Does that mean results will be prioritised over style? Sounds like it:

“What is playing well? It is scoring more goals than the opponents, conceding less, making your fans proud because you give everything and you win.”

4. The Wenger hate is back

The Arsenal manager was also in Mourinho’s sights. Asked whether he felt he has a point to prove at Old Trafford, the Portuguese said: “There are some managers who last won a title was 10 years ago, some never.

“The last time I won the title was a year ago. So if I have a lot to prove, imagine the others…”

Zing!

5. More signings are on their way

There was an amusing little exchange between Mourinho and United’s press chief when he was asked about the likelihood of new arrivals. The Red Devils have already confirmed the signings of Eric Bailly andZlatan Ibrahimovic, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to seal his move from Borussia Dortmund in the days ahead.

“Is the third player official yet?” he asked the press officer, who answered in the negative. “When?” he then probed, prompting giggles.

But the details of his transfer window plan will undoubtedly have United fans excited.

“We made a nucleus of four priorities – four positions to give a certain balance to the squad, to give a certain push in terms of quality and the qualities I need and want,” he said.

“Especially the ones with more vision. I am more a manager that likes specialists and not so much multi-functional players, because I am very clear in my approach. We decided four targets. From these four, we have three and until we don’t have the fourth, we are still working hard.”

“When we have the fourth. I breathe and then the market will be open. We are not going to get the fourth on 31 August, we will get the fourth before then. We are getting the players we want and now we have the third.”

Given that a centre-back, a playmaker and a striker have all arrived, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that the fourth target is a more defensive midfielder. Paul Pogba, anyone?

6. He is prickly about his record with young players

Mourinho’s arrival sparked a bit of disquiet among some United fans, who feared that the club’s traditional policy of blooding youth players could come under threat in the new regime.

But Mourinho clearly feels his reputation for not playing youngsters is unfair and railed against “the lie” on Tuesday morning. He even produced a list of academy players that made first-team debuts under his stewardship at various clubs.

“I knew that was coming,” he said after a reporter’s question.

“You know how many young players I promote to the first team from academies? 49. Do you want to know who they are? I can give you that.”

“I never promote players because of need… I did it because of conviction and decision. Last year was the only season of my career when I was not fighting for the title, winning or finishing second or third. So it was never a situation of stability and no pressure to promote players.”

“I did 49. Some of them are big names, they are today CL winners in the Euros, playing for national teams and 49 is a lot. One lie repeated many times sometimes looks true, but it will never be true. 49. If you want the names, I give you the names.”

7. Giggs was not forced out

Ryan Giggs ended his 29-year association with the club last week, but Mourinho insisted that there would have been a place for the Welshman in his coaching set-up had he wanted it.

“It is not my responsibility that Ryan is not in the club,” he said.

“The job Ryan wanted is the job the club decided to give me. Ryan wanted to be manager and the owners and Mr Woodward decided to give the job to me.”

“He could be what he wanted in the club. The club wanted to give him any important job in the club. For Ryan, it is not easy to go the step from assistant to manager… it is the step to leave his house of 29. He was brave, he is honest, so good luck.”

“If one day he wants to come back when I am here, I will never say no.”

8. Ferguson will have a new drinking buddy

Mourinho admitted he is looking forward to renewing his friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson now the two will be living in the same city… and that Fergie have him some advice after taking the role.

“[He said to] bring the umbrella.” said Mourinho.

“It was great advice. The second [tip] was to bring my typical bottle of wine. Now we are going to have many occasions to be together. When his holidays are finished we will have lots of time to meet.”

“He will always be welcome to the training ground and we will have a lot of time to share our personal stuff. His opinion is important to me.”

9. Rooney will not be playing in central midfield

Roy Hodgson and Van Gaal may have played their captain deep, but Mourinho will be using him in more attacking areas,

“In football there are many jobs,” he said.

“The one that is more difficult to find is the guy who puts the ball on the net.”

“It is normal that a player changes a bit but there is something that will never change, which is the natural appetite to put the ball in the net. Maybe he is not a striker, not a No. 9 any more but for me he will never be a No. 6, playing 50 metres from the goal.”

“You can tell me his pass is amazing but my pass is also amazing without pressure. To be there and put the ball in the net is the most difficult thing. For me he will be a 9, a 10, a nine and a half but never a 6 or an 8.”

10. It’s going to be fun

Those 30 minutes flew by. Win or lose, it’s going to be an adventure.

Source: Mirror Uk