Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho excited to take 'special' 50-metre walk from tunnel to dugout on Old Trafford debutĀ 

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed his excitement at taking charge at Old Trafford and is looking forward to the 'special' feeling of taking the famous walk from the tunnel to the dugout.

Mourinho's first home match will be Wayne Rooney's testimonial against his boyhood club Everton on August 3 and the new United boss is relishing taking in the Old Trafford atmosphere.

Unlike most stadiums, the tunnel at Old Trafford is located in the corner of the stadium, some 50 metres from the bench, giving Mourinho more time to take in his new surroundings.

Ā Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is relishing taking charge of his first game at Old Trafford

Ā Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is relishing taking charge of his first game at Old Trafford

Mourinho is looking forward to making the 'special' 50-metre walk from the Old Trafford tunnel to the dugout

Mourinho is looking forward to making the 'special' 50-metre walk from the Old Trafford tunnel to the dugout

The self-proclaimed 'Special One' has taken the famous steps many times but only as an opposing manager

The self-proclaimed 'Special One' has taken the famous steps many times but only as an opposing manager

Old Trafford is one of the few stadiums in which the tunnel is in the corner of the ground away from the dugout

Old Trafford is one of the few stadiums in which the tunnel is in the corner of the ground away from the dugout

The 53-year-old can not wait to take his first steps into the home team dugout after many matches as the visiting boss, mainly with Chelsea,Ā against legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.


The Old Trafford touchline is also the scene of Mourinho's epic sprint in celebration as Porto defeated United in the Champions League back in 2004.

Speaking of the moment he will first take charge as Manchester United boss at Old Trafford, Mourinho told Adidas Front Row: 'It's a pity that it's not tomorrow because I'm waiting for that moment.

'I've had so many years in football at a high level, so obviously I am not nervous, I feel very calm and I know that I am ready for the job, but to go into the stadium as Man United manager... I'm sure that will be special.

Mourinho has taken on former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson many times on the Old Trafford touchline

Mourinho has taken on former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson many times on the Old Trafford touchline

'It's a stadium where you have a 50-metre walk [from the tunnel to the dug-out], which is different to my previous clubs.Ā 

'In all my previous clubs the tunnel was connected with the bench; there wasn't that space to feel good or bad feelings, because when things go well you normally feel the good feelings and when things go wrong you feel the bad feelings.

'I think the 50-metre walk will give me a few seconds where I will have the chance to feel it.'Ā 

Old Trafford was the scene of Mourinho's touchline sprint as Porto knocked United out of Europe in 2004

Old Trafford was the scene of Mourinho's touchline sprint as Porto knocked United out of Europe in 2004

Ahead of the test against Everton, United take on Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday before facing Borussia Dortmund and rivals Manchester City in China. The Red Devils will also face Turkish giants Galatasaray in Gothenburg.

Mourinho is keen for his team, including new signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic,Ā Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly, to bond ahead of the new season.Ā 

'I hope to see a group, from an emotional point of view, coming together and getting to know each other better and understanding each other better,' Mourinho said of pre-season.

'It's important from a football point of view, but also from a human qualities point of view, that's very important. I think the pre-season tours are also for the club dimension.'Ā