Skipper Wayne Rooney says Jose Mourinho's
appointment as Manchester United manager has
given him extra motivation for the new Premier
League season.
Mourinho, tasked with making United title
contenders once more after the sacking of Louis
van Gaal in May, has signalled that he sees
Rooney playing up front -- rather than the deeper
midfield position he took up for England and
United at the back end of last season.
Rooney, 30, who is only four goals behind Bobby
Charlton's record haul of 249 in United's all-time
top-scorers list, told Inside United magazine: "I'm
really excited to be working with Jose this
season as he's one of the best managers in the
world.
"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."
Rooney, who has been joined at Old
Trafford over the summer by Zlatan Ibrahimovic,
Ivorian defender Eric Bailly and Armenian
playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan, said he had never
enjoyed an easy game against a Mourinho side.
"His teams are always hard to beat, tactically
disciplined and, most importantly, successful,"
Rooney said of the former Chelsea, Inter Milan,
Real Madrid and Porto boss.
"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."
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