Jose Mourinho pulls out of Soccer Aid

Jose Mourinho has pulled out of his first appearance at Old Trafford since becoming Manchester United manager after deciding not to take charge of an England team at Soccer Aid this weekend.

It's understood that the 53-year-old Portuguese coach wants to focus on his commitments to United after agreeing a three-year deal last week to succeed Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho will still take training at Fulham on Thursday and Friday as an England side that includes Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler and Phil Neville prepare to play Claudio Ranieri's Rest of the World team on Sunday.

However, he is now expected to hand over the reins to Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce who was due to be his assistant for the day.

United have not put their new manager under any pressure to stand aside, mindful that the match is in aid of UNICEF.

But Mourinho is conscious that the charity event could be overshadowed by the inevitable focus on his presence in the home dugout at Old Trafford for the first time.

Two-time Champions League winner Mourinho, who has returned to management for the first time since his dismissal by Chelsea last December, has already set out his stall with the Red Devils.

He is keen to right the wrongs of last season which saw United finish a disappointing fifth in the Premier League and miss out on Champions League football next term.

He is understood to be armed with a sizeable transfer warchest for the summer window, the likes of Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic and Everton defender John Stones among the names being touted to feature on his wish-list.

One setback at United which Mourinho will have to deal with, though, is the seemingly imminent exit of Ryan Giggs.

Giggs was Van Gaal’s assistant manager last season, but with Mourinho keen to bring in his trusted friend Rui Faria in that role, the Welshman was set to be given a new position bridging between United’s Under 21s and first-team.

Giggs is understood to be dissatisfied with the offer and is expected to pursue his first solo management position elsewhere.

Dailymail