Jose Mourinho already has two out of four new signings this summer
It was revealed in today’s unveiling of Jose Mourinho that the new Manchester United manager wants four signings to start his new Premier League campaign.
He already has two in the form of defender Eric Bailly and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
A third, despite a firm denial, is likely to be Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
And finally, the Paul Pogba rumours continue to circulate.
Jose Mourinho on Wayne Rooney’s United role
He might have planned four new signings for the United squad but Jose Mourinho is already making plans to build his team around United captain Wayne Rooney – using him in a more forward role in the forthcoming season.
Mourinho is known to have tried to sign Rooney when he returned to Chelsea for the second time in 2013 while David Moyes was the Reds manager.
Rooney stayed with United and now just four goals behind Sir Bobby Robson’s all time record goals tally for the Reds on 245.
However, the England captain was used in midfield towards the end of last season by Louis Van Gaal and for England by Roy Hodgson.
Mourinho, on the other hand, see’s Rooney’s value in a more attacking role and said:
“There are many jobs on the field in football.
“The most difficult one is the guy who puts the ball into the back of the net.
“These guys change during the years.
“A player at Rooney’s age may change a little but something that will never change is the appetite to put the ball into the net.”
He added: “Maybe he’s not a number 9 any more but for me he will never be a number 6.
“He will never be someone who will play 50 metres from the goal.
“You can say his pass is amazing but my pass is also amazing without pressure.
“There are many players with a great pass but to be there and to put the ball into the net is the most difficult thing to find.”
“For me he will be a number 9, 10 or a 9 and a half; but not a 6, not even an 8.”