Manchester United press conference recap as Jose Mourinho looks ahead to Champions League clash with Benfica

Full story: Mourinho on contract talks

Jose Mourinho has revealed he has no immediate plans to sign a contract extension with Manchester United.

Mourinho raised speculation about his future by gushing about Paris St Germain and confirming United will not be his last job.

But the United boss attempted to clarify his comments ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League match against Benfica by claiming he is going nowhere - and has no plans to sign a new deal.

Mourinho’s current £15million-a-year deal still has over 18 months to run.

“I think you English media have the answer for that because in one day it says I am going to sign a five year contract worth £1billion per season and then the next day you say that I am leaving and going to PSG - I think that is the answer,” said Mourinho, speaking ahead of United’s Champions League clash with Benfica.

“The answer is that nothing is happening; I am not signing a new five year contract and I am not leaving for PSG.

“I am at Man United and that is it. I have a contract I don’t think there is an answer for that.

“I am not in the conditions to answer for that – I have a contract and that is it.”

Read more here.

That's a wrap

That’s a wrap here in Lisbon.

Some fiery comments from Jose Mourinho about his future and the speculation surrounding it.

Young, on the other hand, was quite calm and appears focused on the game.

Full reaction to follow.

Young thinks Liverpool point was good

Young says that it was a “good point” at Liverpool at the weekend.

Anfield is a tough place to go.

I think we will look at it at the end of the season as a good point.

We have to concentrate on the games coming up.

Young weighs in on Mourinho future

Young has had hit say on Mourinho’s future.

He has kept it short and sweet.

If you look at how well we did last season and the trophies we picked up, hopefully we can continue.

Young has hinted that his future could lie away from United.

But right now he says that he is happy.

I have been playing games and that is what the focus is on - playing well and doing well for the team.

If any offers come then the club will come and speak to me.

Young happy at full-back

Young says that he is more than happy playing full-back for United.

As a pro now you have to be versatile. You play in different formations and different systems so you have to adjust. I have found myself at full back and enjoying it and playing well.

Wherever the manager asks me to go and play, I give 100% percent as soon as I put on that United shirt.

Mourinho presence will motivate Benfica

Young says that Benfica will be even more motivated than normal for the game on Wednesday.

He believes they will want to get one over their compatriot, Mourinho.

Obviously the manager coming from Portugal, we feel like they will be even more motivated.

Young: It will be tough

As expected, Young believes that it will be a tough game against Benfica.

Young is now one of the most experienced members of the United squad and knows not to underestimate opponnents.

Benfica haven’t won the Portuguese league in the last four seasons for no reason.

They haven’t got to the last eight or 16 [of the Champions League] for no reason either.

We’re expecting a tough game.

Obviously they haven’t got off to such a good start in the Champions League but when United turn up, it’s going to be a different story.

Young on his way in

Ashley Young is (slowly) on his way.

The Manchester United full-back will offer his thoughts on the game.

He likely won’t be as prickly as Mourinho!

Is Mourinho backtracking?

Before we listen to Young’s comments, a little review of Mourinho’s remarks.

He appears to have changed his tune from the summer.

Mourinho had claimed that he would stay for many years at Old Trafford, but now appears to be backtracking.

Onto Ashley Young...

That’s everything from Jose Mourinho.

Up next we have Ashley Young speaking.

Let’s see what he has to say.

Mourinho confirms he will leave at some point

Mourinho has returned to the subject of his future.

He has confirmed that he will not end his career with United.

I have my contract which ends in June 2019. We are in October 2017 so I don’t know what to say.

I told people, and it is true, that I am not going to end my career at United. How is it possible in modern football that any manager lasts 15/20 years in the same club. Wenger is the last one.

I think I’m going to be in football 15 years more minimum, it is impossible to stay that long at one club.

If my career was ending in 3,4,5 years then yes, I would end my career at United.

Yes it’s true that I haven’t signed a new contract; but I’m also not thinking about leaving either.

Mourinho on the Lukaku incident

Mourinho says that he will not be making comment on the Lukaku incident.

The striker was cleared of retrospective punishment by the FA.

I read something but we have to move on and forget what happened.

Speaking about things that happened and didn’t happen.

For me, there was not any meaning and the FA is there to analyse and make decisions and no comment.”

Mourinho on Portuguese fires

Mourinho has revealed his sadness at the recent fires in Portugal, where over 30 people have lost their lives.

It is difficult to live with this, it’s a very sad reality.

Football loses meaning in face of such tragedies.

Benfica are the group's best, says Mourinho

Mourinho claims that Benfica are the best team in the Champions League group, adding extra importance to the tie.

Benfica needs to win the four games that are left.

I have been showing my players that to me Benfica are much better than CSKA or Basel.

My players are aware that sometimes results aren’t an indicator of the value of a team, sometimes circumstances impact this.

Praise for Benfica star

Mourinho has heaped praise on Benfica defender Luisao.

The centre-back, 36, has played for the club since 2003.

The number of games he plays per season is impressive, few injuries, he shows such loyalty and passion for Benfica.

Mourinho gives update on contract situation

Mourinho has addressed the recent media speculation.

He claims that he is not planning to sign a new contract - and will not be leaving for PSG.

I think you English media have the answer. In one day it says I am going to sign a 5 year contract, £1billion per season. The next day you say I am leaving to go to PSG. That is the answer.

Nothing is happening, I am not signing anew 5 years contract ad I am not leaving for PSG. I am not leaving United. I have a contract and that is it.

Mourinho sets CL group points target

Mourinho says that he has done a full analysis of Benfica - and he has set a points target for his side.

It will be difficult to qualify out of this group with less than 10 points.

Benfica have done so many different things in the Champions League that I have analysed, I know all their options.

Jose coy on team selection

Mourinho has refused to give any indication on the team that he will play - because the players don’t even know yet.

I will not tell you the team.

With so many injuries, you can predict with an almost guarantee of success because we have so few options.

It is easy for you to guess.

Mourinho sets his sights high

Mourinho has set his sights on qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League before the last group game.

Our goal is to qualify. Our sole objective is to qualify.

One point away against the strongest of the teams in the group is good, but the match can be analysed outside that context.

As a match we want to try and win.

He's in the house

It’s time!

Jose Mourinho will be talking to the media any second alongside Ashley Young.

Updates on his remarks to come...

Carragher names United player as "best in the world"

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has described a Manchester United player as the “best in the world” at their position.

The Anfield favourite was talking to United great Peter Schmeichel on Monday Night Football when the conversation turned to goalkeepers.

United No.1 David De Gea pulled off a sensational save during Saturday’s game to deny Liverpool the win and Carragher described the Spaniard as peerless.

“I think he is the best goalkeeper in the world,” said Carragher. “Peter is the greatest Premier League goalkeeper but De Gea is second.

“We have had some greats, [David] Seaman, [Petr] Cech but he is that good.”

Squad members confirmed

We are expecting Jose to appear in the next 15 minutes alongside Ashley Young.

Meanwhile, here’s a recap of the players that have made the journey to Portugal for the fixture.

• David de Gea
  
• Sergio Romero
  
• Joel Pereira
  
• Daley Blind
  
• Victor Lindelof
  
• Antonio Valencia
  
• Luke Shaw
  
• Chris Smalling
  
• Matteo Darmian
  
• Axel Tuanzebe
  
• Phil Jones
  
• Marcos Rojo
  
• Ashley Young
  
• Jesse Lingard
  
• Nemanja Matic
  
• Henrikh Mkhitaryan
  
• Juan Mata
  
• Ander Herrera
  
• Scott McTominay
  
• Marcus Rashford
  
• Romelu Lukaku
  
• Anthony Martial

Mourinho contract talks 'planned'

Manchester United plan to open talks with Jose Mourinho over the deal before the end of the season.

The Portuguese boss sparked concerns over his future recently when he insisted he would not finish his career with the club.

Mourinho also praised PSG and there have been suggestions he could take over with the French giants.

But the Mail reports United expect to discuss terms on a new deal in the coming months.

United monitoring Espanyol's Aaron

Manchester United are monitoring Espanyol defender Aaron Martin.

United scouts watched the 20-year-old - a Spain under-21 international - during his club’s clash with Levante on Friday night.

Martin, a left-back, is contracted with the Catalan club until 2022, having signed a new deal in January.

But according to ESPN, the Spanish side are worried that they won’t be able to hang onto the player past next summer.

Martin has played every minute of Espanyol’s eight La Liga fixtures thus far this season.

York frustrated with Mourinho's tactics

Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke admits Jose Mourinho’s big away game tactics would have left him “a little frustrated.”

Current Old Trafford boss Mourinho has come in for criticism for his cagey approach in United’s goalless draw at Liverpool and seemingly playing for a draw.

The Anfield side, and their defence in particular, were widely considered to be there for the taking for a United team who had been free-scoring this season before Saturday’s trip to their fierce rivals.

And 1999 Treble winner Yorke said: “As a striker you would probably be a little frustrated because you want to be involved in the game all the time.

“You want your team to create a lot of opportunities for you as a striker.

“That means you have to be in a more attacking mindset and I am not sure if Mourinho is that way inclined like Sir Alex Ferguson.

“He has a way that 1-0 is appropriate and enough to make sure we can win a football match and that is all it takes, one goal to win a football match.

“But as a striker you want to be given more than just one opportunity in a game and to do that you have to be playing with an attacking mindset to create chances for someone like myself and people who would have played for Manchester United back in those days.”

Lukaku has had bigger impact than Pogba, says Keys

Criticism of Romelu Lukaku is unfair as he has already had a far bigger impact on Manchester United that Paul Pogba.

That is the opinion of former Sky Sports frontman Richard Keys, who described comments about the £75million summer signing as “out of line”.

Lukaku failed to make any impact at Anfield and put in arguably his worst performance in a United shirt, but his record this season remains remarkable.

The 24-year-old has 14 goals in 16 appearances for club and country and has only failed to find the net in two appearances.

“I thought the criticism Lukaku took in some quarters was way out of line,” said Keys. “I’m always surprised when ex-pro’s turn so violently on the generation that’s followed them. They should know better. They’ve played. And believe me, I’ve seen many of them play some very ordinary football themselves down the years. They’ve all become world beaters since they retired.

“Lukaku is a class act. He’s had a far bigger impact on United already than his mate Pogba. He is not a flat track bully. Ask Evertonians if their team is missing him.

“Lukaku had one big chance on Saturday. He knows he should’ve done better with it. Let’s say he had. Let’s say he’d scored the games only goal. Would that have made him the best player in the pitch? Of course not. The fact he didn’t score doesn’t make him the worst on the pitch either.”