OFFICIAL: Manchester United Confirmed Jose Mourinho as Manager

Former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho has been officially confirmed as the new manager of Manchester United. United broke the news of the appointment on Friday morning. In an official statement, the club announced that the Portuguese has signed a three-year contract with an option to stay at the club until at least 2020.

Mourinho replaces his former mentor Van Gaal, who was sacked on Monday despite last weekend’s FA Cup final victory against Crystal Palace. 

Announcing the appointment, Ed Woodward said:
“José is quite simply the best manager in the game today. He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the Club forward.”

It will be the 53-year-old’s third stint in English football following two previous spells at Chelsea, the most recent of which ended in December following a disastrous run of form which saw the then champions become embroiled in a fight against relegation.

Mourinho has been an open admirer of Manchester United for many years and has been expected to replace Van Gaal since his sacking by Chelsea in December 2015.

“To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game," the Portuguese said. "It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.

“I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I’m looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years.”

The Portuguese will be armed with a reported transfer kitty in excess of £200 million and could commence his summer spending spree with the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Sweden international superstar whose contract with PSG expires at the end of the month.