Jose Mourinho confirmed as Manchester United manager on a four-year contract as new boss hails club with 'mystique and a romance about it no other can match'

Manchester United announce Jose Mourinho at the club's new manager

The 53-year-old has signed a four-year deal to take charge at Old Trafford

But Mourinho's contract also includes option to cut ties after three years

Former Chelsea boss spoke of a 'special honour' on deal's confirmation

United chief Ed Woodward labelled Mourinho 'the best manager today'

Mourinho replaces Louis van Gaal as boss, who was sacked on Monday

Jose Mourinho has spoken of the 'special honour' to manage Manchester United after being confirmed as their new manager on a four-year contract with the option to cut ties after three years.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward hailed the former Chelsea boss as 'the best manager in the game today' after the club broke the news on football's worst-kept secret on Friday morning.

Mourinho will earn £15million per year and work has already started on a summer recruitment drive with £200m available to create a squad capable of a Premier League title challenge. 

From Jaguar to Chevvy

THE Contract as posted by Jose on Instagram

'To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game,' Mourinho 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.'

Mourinho delighted one fan outside his home by providing the signature on a United home shirt

FA Cup winners United sacked Louis van Gaal following their Wembley win against Crystal Palace and immediately set about finalising Mourinho's arrival.

Mourinho's wife Matilde provided a glimpse inside the manager's office, complete with a United shirt

'Jose is quite simply the best manager in the game today,' Woodward said. '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.'

Although no official confirmation has been offered on his backroom staff, Mourinho will bring long-term lieutenants Rui Faria and Silvino Louro with him to United.

Ryan Giggs is still yet to decide on his future with the current assistant being offered a more junior role under the new boss. 

Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December after a disastrous start to their Premier League title defence that saw the Blues languishing in 16th place.

A ninth league loss in 16 matches spelled the end of his reign, which the club's technical director Michael Emenalo blamed on 'palpable discord' between the manager and his players. 

The success of the season previous brought the Portuguese coach a third crown from the English top division and his immediate aim will be to secure a fourth at United when the new season begins in August.

He will be backed by a £200m transfer budget with a summer spending spree on the cards and initial targets already identified.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in line for a reunion with the manager he worked under at Inter Milan while Mourinho also has eyes on Everton's John Stones and Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez. 

The 53-year-old could also return to former club Chelsea to recruit midfielder Nemanja Matic.

Ibrahimovic confirmed he has had 'concrete offers' from Premier League clubs but would not commit on whether United were one of them - although a direct question on the subject drew a wide grin from the forward on Thursday.

'Let's see what happens,' the Swedish star said.

Asked if he has spoken to Mourinho in the past week, the Ibrahimovic, 34, said: 'I have spoken with him every day since I left Inter Milan.

'I have a great relationship with Mourinho and we are in contact, but not in the last weeks - we have been talking for many years.'

Mourinho is set to comment further on his new job in an interview with United's in-house television channel at midday on Friday.

His first game in charge will be an International Champions Cup friendly in Shanghai against Borussia Dortmund on July 22 before a meeting with old rival Pep Guardiola, now in charge of local rivals Manchester City, three days later in Beijing on July 25. 

Mourinho will take his seat in the Old Trafford dugout before that though, when he coaches the England team made up of former players and celebrities during the Soccer Aid charity match on June 5. 

Former United defender Phil Neville was one of the first to react to the confirmation on Friday morning, tweeting: 'Great start to the day'.

Bizarrely, Jaguar — one of Mourinho's sponsors — made the announcement on Thursday evening before the club.

United would like to have unveiled the Machiavellian manager earlier this week but minor legal issues held up the announcement.

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