Mourinho signs contract extension at Man Utd

BBC
BBC
Jose Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has signed a contract extension until 2020, with the option of a further year.

The 54-year-old’s previous deal at Old Trafford was due to expire in 2019.

Mourinho said he was “delighted” that United “feel and trust that I am the right manager for this great club for the foreseeable future”.

He added: “I would like to say a big thank you to the owners and to [chief executive} Ed Woodward.”

The Portuguese, appointed as Louis van Gaal’s successor in May 2016, won the EFL Cup and Europa League in his first season.

This season United are second in the Premier League, behind runaway leaders Manchester City, with the club still in the Champions League and FA Cup.

“We have set very high standards – winning three trophies in one season – but those are the standards I expect my teams to aim for,” Mourinho added.

“We are creating the conditions for a brilliant and successful future for Manchester United. I love my players and it is a pleasure to know that we are going to be together for at least the next three years.”

Woodward praised Mourinho for his “exceptional work rate and professionalism”, as well as for “embracing the club’s desire to promote top-quality young players”.

He added: “He has brought an energy and a sense of purpose to everything that he does and I am sure that will continue to bring results for the fans and the club.”

Speaking at his news conference earlier on Thursday – before his new contract was announced – Mourinho hailed the club’s recent signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal.

He said the Chilean had moved from a “fantastic club to a giant club” in the swap deal that saw Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan head the other way.

Mourinho said it was “a great deal for everybody” and confirmed Sanchez will be in the squad for United’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Yeovil on Friday.

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