Jose Mourinho admits he's in love with Manchester United ahead of Chelsea return
JOSE MOURINHO says he now has “101 per cent love” for Manchester United as he prepares to face former club Chelsea – but believes he will only feel the full passion of the Old Trafford fans in return if he can deliver trophies.
The whole world of football will be watching to assess the level of sentiment cascading around Stamford Bridge as Mourinho goes back to the ground where the supporters have adored him so much in the past.
Mourinho knows there is no escaping this spotlight, and his playful answers to questions about the occasion suggest he is relishing the attention.
“I don’t know how Chelsea fans will think now I am at another English club, at Manchester United,” says the superstar manager.
“One thing they can be sure of --- I am Man United 100 per cent. I want to win with Man United.
“I will always be respectful to them. That feeling wont’ change, but I love every club that I work for.
GETTY
Jose Mourinho wants to win trophies with Manchester United
GETTY
Jose Mourinho won the Premier League three times at Chelsea
I am Man United 100 per cent. I want to win with Man United
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho
“I have this professional heart that makes me connect 101 per cent with my clubs. Even in Portugal, I was not born a Porto supporter, but I gave my life for the club.
“I gave my life for Real Madrid. I gave my life for Inter. I gave my life for Chelsea. I give my life for Manchester United. That is my professional nature. I am 100 per cent United.”
Mourinho has had a mixed start at Old Trafford, with his team lying seventh in the Premier League table after eight matches, a couple of points behind Chelsea.
The mood has improved in the past few days with a battling draw away to Liverpool and a strong victory against Fenerbahce, and the crowd are starting to be convinced.
“The connections start before titles,” says Mourinho, “but it is success that makes the empathy and the connection become really strong and special.
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“I think the world of football now is full of good managers and the Premier League obviously has elite ones.”
His greatest rivalry this season will be against Pep Guardiola at neighbours Manchester City, but Mourinho played down the scale of their meeting next week in the League Cup fourth round.
“It is the League Cup and, honestly, in the four competitions we are involved in, the League Cup is the less important one,” says Mourinho.
“My approach to that match is secondary. We want to win against Manchester City and we want to win the League Cup. I have won the competition three times and I don’t want to throw it away. But if you tell me my focus is on that match --- no.”
