Injury blow for Salford

RED DEVILS TAKE ON LEAGUE LEADERS /PAGE 57

JOSE Mourinho insists he knew what he was letting himself in for when he accepted the challenge of taking United back to the top.

And he says he is up for the fight as the Reds attempt to catch champions City next season.

The United boss also appeared to drop another hint that he believes, unlike himself, Blues boss Pep Guardiola inherited a squad already capable of winning the league.

The Portuguese took over at Old Trafford in summer 2016 following the failed regimes of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

United, who haven’t won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final campaign in 2013, saw City run away with the title race this season.

Mourinho claimed last month Guardiola has got the players he inherited to thank for City’s success this season. And he defended his record, claiming he did not expect immediate success given United’s problems - though he pointed to winning the League Cup and Europa League as evidence of a good start and said he was ‘ready’ to take on the task of reviving United.

“I knew the club I was coming to,” he said. “I know that one thing is to go to a club that is prepared to win and you just need to arrive and give the last touches, to give your personal quality, personal knowledge and the club, is ready just for the last click.

“I knew that was not the case [at United]. I was ready for this.

“But, in spite of it, three trophies, three finals, probably a third or fourth in worst case scenario. Not bad.”