UNITED Challenge to take Reds back to top lifts Mourinho...
JOSE Mourinho insists he has been re-energised at United to the point that managing Portugal has been pushed to the back of his mind.
The Reds boss has long-planned to end his career in international management, with the ultimate goal of one day leading his country to a World Cup.
But he is determined to steer United back to the summit of English football and beyond - telling executive vice chairman Ed Woodward he needs significant funds this summer to win the Reds their first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
United are closing in on a deal for Brazilian midfielder Fred and Porto right-back Diogo Dalot. Both players could complete their moves within the next week.
Mourinho also wants to bring in a leftback and a central defender, with Alex Sandro and Toby Alderweireld on his wanted list.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Marco Verratti, Jean-Michael Seri and Arturo Vidal are other midfield targets, while Marko Arnautovic, Gareth Bale and Willian are options in attack.
Mourinho’s plans to complete a major overhaul of a squad that finishing trophyless and 19 points behind champions City is evidence of his continued appetite for the job.
And that is down to the challenge he’s been presented with at United after his second spell at Chelsea ended in disastrous fashion. Despite cutting a discontented figure at times last season - falling out with the media and supporters - Mourinho underlined his commitment to Old Trafford by signing a contract extension in January that will take him to 2020 with the option of another year.
Having previously claimed he would manage Portugal when he got ‘tired,’ Mourinho now insists that is a long way off.
“No. No!” he told GQ. “I am not close at all (to being tired). I think being the coach of a club is my job. Because I need to play matches every week and train every day.
“I would say, I am even further away from being tired now than I was a few years ago.”
While Mourinho carries out punditry duties at the World Cup this summer, he hopes Woodward will secure his wishlist swiftly ahead of United’s tour to the United States in July.