Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admits the arrival of Jose Mourinho has given him added motivation for the season ahead.
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho has suggested he preferred to play Rooney in a more attacking role, rather than see him pull strings from midfield as he did under predecessor Louis van Gaal.
Rooney will be looking to forge a formidable strike partnership with new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after a dearth of goals under the Dutchman last season.
“I’m really excited to be working with Jose this season,” the 30-year-old told the club’s official magazine. “He’s one of the best managers in the world and it’s an exciting time for Manchester United.
“I’ve always respected him both as a man and a manager.
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. 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.”
Mourinho hopes United players
will forge close bond
Manchester United’s pre-season tour of China this month, when they face Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund, will give the players an opportunity to forge a close bond, manager Jose Mourinho has said.
United’s first game under Mourinho will be against last season’s Bundesliga runners-up Dortmund in the International Champions Cup in Shanghai on July 22.
The 53-year-old Portuguese manager will also renew hostilities with old adversary Pep Guardiola, who replaced Manuel Pellegrini as City’s manager, on June 25.
“I hope to see a group, from an emotional point of view, coming together and getting to know each other better and understanding each other better,” Mourinho said in an interview with adidas’ Front Row.
“It’s important from a football point of view, but also from a human qualities point of view, that’s very important. I think the pre-season tours are also for the club dimension.”
United will take on Premier League champions Leicester City in the annual Community Shield game at Wembley on Aug. 7. The 20-times English league winners begin their league campaign with a trip to Bournemouth on August 14.