Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has revealed just how excited he is about working with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford this coming season.
The England international will be joined by the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan at the club this summer, and it promises to be an exciting new start for the Red Devils.
With Mourinho revealing his intention to not play Rooney in midfield in favour of a more advanced role, the 30-year-old is evidently relishing the prospect of playing for the Portuguese tactician.
“I’m really excited to be working with Jose this season as he’s one of the best managers in the world,” Rooney told Inside United magazine, as reported by Sky Sports. “And 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.
“I’ve played against many Mourinho sides over the years and I can’t remember any easy games, so I think that says it all. His teams are always hard to beat, tactically disciplined and, most importantly, successful.
“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.”
It remains to be seen whether or not Mourinho enjoys the same level of success at United, as ultimately it promises to be a highly-competitive season in the Premier League next year with many top clubs boasting new managers and players.
While it will be a tough task, few will doubt his ability to cope with it in a positive way and ensure that United are back challenging at the top of the table as they plot a way of getting back into the Champions League next season.
As for Rooney, it’s unclear at this stage as to how he will be deployed in the United side, but after suggesting that he was ready for a midfield role for some time, he’ll now be played in a familiar position in the final third.