Jose Mourinho marked his first day at his new Manchester United office by making his peace with Sir Bobby Charlton.
The Special One was full of charm as he was greeted on his first trip to United’s Carrington base by Sir Bobby, who is believed to have had doubts about his appointment.
After finishing a tour of the training ground with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, Mourinho got straight to work as he attempts to steal a march over great rival Pep Guardiola, who is not due at Manchester City until July 1.
By the end of the day United had confirmed new contracts that will keep England starlet Marcus Rashford and promising defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson at Old Trafford until 2020.
He had also overseen an offer that will see veteran midfielder Michael Carrick, 34, sign a one-year deal to remain in his squad.
But it was the gesture towards Sir Bobby, who had previously been a harsh critic of the 53-year-old and was understood to have championed the case for Ryan Giggs to take over, that best reflected how Mourinho was in a mood to match the North West sunshine.
They shared a warm embrace after meeting on the edge of the Carrington car park, with Portuguese Mourinho joking: ‘You killed my country’s dream in 1966 but even so, all the best.’
In turn, the England World Cup winner offered his congratulations. ‘I am very happy to see you,’ he said, before Mourinho told him to save the kind words until he starts winning matches.
Mourinho is here! Watch our new boss arrive at the Aon Training Complex… #WelcomeJose https://t.co/qmBsWqat0u
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 30, 2016
Mourinho was shown the premises by Woodward and met other members of staff, including managing director Richard Arnold and head of elite performance John Murtough.
Looking relaxed, Louis van Gaal’s successor told those who work at Carrington to continuously repeat their names to him as he aims to add a personal touch. He launched a charm offensive, making a point of shaking everybody’s hand.
‘Where do we go?’ Mourinho laughed as Woodward formally welcomed him at reception of the Aon Training Complex before taking him upstairs for a tour of the offices. It is inside there where he will plot how to edge ahead in the jostling for top spot in this city.
Mourinho is keen to show he means business after United made a strong statement by hiring him in response to City’s coup of appointing former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola.
The Spaniard does not officially start work until the start of July, although he has sounded out targets and is close to finalising a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
His old foe, meanwhile, wants to be visible as he looks to revitalise United, who won the FA Cup but failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League. United know that landing Mourinho offers them a significantly enhanced position to challenge City for major honours next year.
They have hit the ground running after concluding the protracted negotiations with Jorge Mendes, Mourinho’s agent, and inconvenient trademark hurdles with the manager’s former employers Chelsea at the end of last week.
Woodward will press ahead with Mourinho’s plans to land signings early, before pre-season begins in July, with the club keen to quickly narrow down their list of targets.
They have made an enquiry about Roma defender Kostas Manolas and are ready to lodge a £54million bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.
Mourinho remains an admirer of Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic, with Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic also on their radar. The chase for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to involve United as well, but Dortmund furiously denied suggestions by Gabon manager Jorge Costa that the 26-year-old striker is moving this summer.
United are keen to add further firepower and will fight with Real Madrid for his signature, even though they would be well-stocked should Ibrahimovic seal a move.
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