Jose Mourinho arrived at Manchester United's AON Training Complex on Monday to start work before the much anticipated Premier League Season 2016-17. Mourinho posted a video on his Instagram account of his arrival at the Manchester Piccadilly station. He has been busy though, working on his first season as United's boss. He has already renewed the contracts of the youth academy graduates Marcus Rashford and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who excelled under Louis Van Gaal. Marcus Rashford went on to represent England at Euros 2016 and is already a favorite among the Old Trafford faithful. The contract of the veteran Michael Carrick was also renewed by Jose for another year.
United completed the signing of Spanish defender, Eric Bailly for a reported 30 million from Spanish club Villarreal. The 22-year-old was scouted by Mourinho and the transfer was completed on June 8. The club also announced the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, further bolstering the United attack line. The Swedish striker arrives at United as a free agent after his four years at French Champions Paris Saint-Germain. The arrival of the 'maverick' striker looks to be a statement of intent from Mourinho, having worked Zlatan at Inter before. Borussia Dortmund have also announced the departure of the Armenian winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Manchester United, although an official statement by the club is yet to be made.
The announcement of "Mr. Manchester United", Ryan Giggs leaving the club after 29 years does hurt the United supporters, but this was in the making with Ryan's desire to get into management evident. The club faithfuls hope for Ryan's return one day as a manager, but right now all eyes are on Mourinho. He has been labelled as the one to bring back the glory days at Old Trafford. With a host of more world class players linked to United, it seems only to be the beginning of the 'Special One's' tenure at the most successful club in England.
Manchester United begin their preseason Tour in China, against Borussia Dortmund on July 22, followed up by matches against Manchester City (25th July) and Galatasaray (30th July). The club captain, Wayne Rooney's testimonial match against Everton takes place on August 3 at Old Trafford. United start their campaign against Leicester City in the Community Shield match on August 7. The Old Trafford crowd hopes to see the United of old, winning titles and playing an attractive brand of football, and with Jose Mourinho at the helm, there are definitely high hopes among the Red Devil's Fans.
