Mourinho: 'I have the job everyone wants'
Jose Mourinho said the Manchester United job had come at just the right time in his life and that he'd be targeting legend Alex Ferguson's two Champions League trophies.
The 53-year-old self anointed 'Special One' - who replaced the sacked Louis van Gaal as United boss at the end of last season - was facing the media on Tuesday for the first time since taking the reins at Old Trafford.
"I am where I want to be. I think it is a job everyone wants and not many have a chance to have and I have it," he said at Tuesday's unveiling.
He added: "I don't hide. I chase Sir Alex's record in Champions League matches."
Mourinho's eyes are firmly fixed on re-establishing United as a title challenger - after a three year hiatus under first David Moyes and then the autocratic Van Gaal.
"For many years, success was just routine and in this moment the last three years are to forget. I want the players to forget. I don't want the players to think we have to do better and finish fourth. Finishing fourth is not the aim," he stressed.
"I want everything. I want to win matches, I want to play well, I don't want to concede goals. I want the fans to be behind us."
And since the Champions League is off United's menu next season as it failed to qualify for European club football's premier competition, Mourinho has his eyes firmly on top spot. When boasting of his credentials to achieve just that, he used the opportunity to aim a sly dig at an old foe in Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
Mourinho: "There are some managers the last time they won a title was 10 years ago. Some never have. The last time I did was a year ago."
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) July 5, 2016
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and FC Porto boss' arrival caused the departure last weekend of United icon Ryan Giggs because the Welshman hadn't got the job he wanted - Mourinho's.
Related: Ryan Giggs ends 29-year association with Manchester United
"It is not my responsibility Ryan is not in the club," insisted Mourinho, who will be assisted instead by Rui Faria at Old Trafford. "The job Ryan wanted is the job the club decided to give me. If, one day, he wants to be back to the club while I am here, I would never stop him."
A position that Mourinho may have to quickly address is that of captain Wayne Rooney. The 30-year-old was shunted into midfield by England manager Roy Hodgson at Euro 2016, but the Portuguese hinted that he would deploy Rooney no deeper than a No. 10 role.
"Maybe he is not a striker any more, maybe he is not a number nine any more, but with me he will never be a number six or somebody who plays 50 metres away from the goal," said Mourinho.
"Yes, his pass is amazing, but my pass is also amazing without pressure. To put the ball in the net is the most difficult thing you have to find."
The gaffer then hinted that the completion of Henrikh Mkhitaryan's transfer from Borussia Dortmund is close, making him the third signing following Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Stretford. One thing which may excite United fans is that there's more to come.
"We decided four targets," stated the 53-year-old. "Until we have the fourth, we are still working hard. The third player will be official soon."
Related - Report: Real Madrid beating United in £84M Pogba chase
Mourinho will assume his bench duties for the first time in a friendly against Wigan Athletic on July 16.
- With files from The Associated Press