Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney has hailed the appointment of Jose Mourinho as the new manager of the Old Trafford outfit by labeling the Portuguese as ‘one of the best managers in the world’.
After months of speculation the former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss was confirmed as Louis van Gaal’s successor last week. Mourinho has penned down a three-year deal with Man United with an option to extend it further by 12 months.
While speaking to the media ahead of England’s final warm-up match against Portugal, the Red Devils’ captain gave his thumbs up for the arrival of the Special One.
Rooney said: “It’s exciting. Jose is one of the best managers in the world.
“He knows the Premier League really well. For myself and the other United players, it’s exciting times and I’m looking forward to it.”
Mourinho tried to sign the 30-year-old back in 2013 after the striker’s relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson deteriorated in the final season of the Scotsman.
Meanwhile, Man United defender Daley Blind has vowed to fight for his position at Old Trafford amid reports that the former Ajax star will be a high profile victim of the Special One’s arrival.
‘You might be looking for a certain statement [about my future], but I will just give my all under Mourinho. We will have to wait and see whether anything changes for me,’ Blind told NOS.
‘I will just give my all and work hard. Mourinho is a manager who has achieved a lot and I am keen to work with him.
‘I might not be as big as Pepe, but I think I have shown in the Premier League that I can hold my own defensively.’
Mourinho is said to be unconvinced by the attributes and strengths that Daley Blind offers.
The Portuguese has a history of signing tall, fast and strong defenders and Blind reportedly does not fit the physical profile that Mourinho is looking for to start off his tenure as Man United boss.
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