(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Skipper Wayne Rooney says Jose Mourinho's appointment as Manchester United manager has given him extra motivation for the new Premier League season.
Mourinho, tasked with making United title contenders once more after the sacking of Louis van Gaal in May, has signalled that he sees Rooney playing up front - rather than the deeper midfield position he took up for England and United at the back end of last season. Rooney, 30, who is only four goals behind Bobby Charlton's record haul of 249 in United's all-time top-scorers list, told Inside United magazine: "I'm really excited to be working with Jose this season as he's one of the best managers in the world. "It's an exciting time for Manchester United. I've always respected him both as a man and a manager, he's a nice guy and one of the most successful managers of all time. "I like to think I'm always motivated as a player but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit more motivated when a new manager comes in. "I'm sure all the lads will be happy to be working under Jose and also eager to impress." Rooney, who has been joined at Old Trafford over the summer by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ivorian defender Eric Bailly and Armenian playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan, said he had never enjoyed an easy game against a Mourinho side. "His teams are always hard to beat, tactically disciplined and, most importantly, successful," Rooney said of the former Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Porto boss. "He'll bring all these qualities with him and I'm sure he'll have his own ideas, but one of the biggest assets will be his experience. "He's managed a lot of successful teams throughout his career and all that experience will be vital." Meanwhile, unifying the Manchester United faithful is high on the priority list of Mourinho, who is determined to recapture the glory days at Old Trafford. Former United boss Louis van Gaal failed to win over the fans during his tenure, despite an FA Cup triumph in May, as inconsistent performances led to the 20-times English title winners missing out on Champions League qualification. "I understand that they expect a lot from me but I also expect a lot from them," Mourinho told the club's website (www.manutd.com). "There is no chance we will be happy if we are not together and I think the passion (they have) for this club is really amazing. Always when you change a manager, I feel it is a sad moment but it is a new chapter now." Van Gaal's possession-based style of football failed to yield results for United, who finished fifth in the table and scored 49 league goals - their lowest total since 1989-90. "When I arrived, I wore the (United) shirt immediately and this is the kind of club and the kind of shirt that I am very proud to represent. I am going to do my best to be happy and to make the people happy," added Mourinho. The 53-year-old Portuguese has already begun restructuring his squad, having signed defender Eric Bailly, midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic so far in the close season. Mourinho said during his unveiling earlier this month that he intended to sign another big-name player, with Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba heavily linked by British media with a return to the club. The former Chelsea boss will mark his return to the Premier League when he takes Manchester United to Bournemouth for their first game of the season on Aug. 14.
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