'I want to win matches, everything,' declares Mourinho

Manchester United’s new manger Jose Mourinho poses at Tuesday’s unveiling at Old Trafford.  

Jose Mourinho, unveiled as Manchester United's new manager on Tuesday, declared he is a winner who aims to return the club to its traditional position of dominance.

The 53-year-old former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan coach said he does not want the players to think improving on last season's fifth place would be sufficient.

"For United fans, for many years, success was just routine. In the last three years, I want to forget," the Portuguese manager told reporters at Old Trafford of the 20-times English champions, who last won the league in 2013.

"I don't want the players to think we need to do better. What is to do better? Finish fourth. Finishing fourth is not the aim. We want to win.

"I want everything. I want to win matches, I want to play well. I want to score goals, I don't want to concede goals. I want everything."

Mourinho, who was out of work for five months after being sacked by Chelsea, said the last few months had been personal "disaster" and that he was honoured and delighted to take over at the club.

 

Manchester United’s new manger Jose Mourinho poses ahead of a press conference at Tuesday’s unveiling at Old Trafford.

On potential transfers, Mourinho said when he was appointed he identified four positions to strengthen, adding that United had secured three of their four transfer targets, with another player expected to be signed in the next few weeks.

Asked about Wayne Rooney's position at the club, Mourinho said the club and England captain was better employed in a more advanced position than where he ended last season and played for his country during their ill-fated Euro 2016 campaign.

"I think he is a number nine, 10, nine-and-a-half but never a number six. There are many jobs in football but the most difficult is to put the ball in the back of the net," Mourinho added.

The former Chelsea manager said he had not prevented Ryan Giggs, who has left the club after 29 years, from staying, adding that he had been offered the chance to remain.

"The club wanted to give him any important job in the club, he made the decision. A decision when you need to be brave," he added.

Mourinho's first game in charge will be a friendly against Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup at Shanghai Stadium on July 22.

United's first Premier League game is at Bournemouth on August 13.