Nothing special just yet

Jose Mourinho admits he will not be considered the Special One if he fails to win any football trophies with Manchester United.

The Portuguese, who signed a contract in May tying him to United until 2020 after replacing Louis van Gaal, proclaimed himself the Special One when he arrived in England for his first stint as Chelsea boss more than a decade ago.

Speaking ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge as United manager overnight, Mourinho conceded Red Devils fans will not view him as anything out of the ordinary if he is unable to deliver any success to Old Trafford in the next three years. United headed to London in seventh place in the Premier League with 14 points from eight games, two spots and two points behind Chelsea.

“Connections start before titles are won but it is success that brings empathy between the supporters and managers, and makes that connection really strong,” he said.

“I have a three-year contract and if I am here for three years, the people will know I have given everything to the club and I am a professional and dedicated coach who gives himself 24 hours a day to United.

“But if, at the end of the three years, I don’t win a single piece of silverware for them, they will say ‘great guy, good coach, we like him, but we feel nothing special about him’.”

The 53-year-old’s second spell as Blues manager came to an end last December after a miserable run of form. But having led Chelsea to eight trophies including three Premier League titles, he is proud of what he achieved with the west London outfit.