The new Manchester United manager stopped short of saying his football is better than his predecessor’s, but feels he encourages his teams to take more risks
Jose Mourinho says his style of football at Manchester United will be more intense than his predecessor Louis van Gaal’s.
The Dutchman attracted plenty of criticism for his focus on possession at the expense of expansive, risk-taking football in two seasons in charge.
Despite capping his reign with a long-awaited FA Cup triumph, the Red Devils ultimate failure to consistently challenge for the Premier League title saw Van Gaal axed.
And while Mourinho said he does not believe in any one particular type of style of play, he will bring intensity and success back to United.
“Yes, we want to play different than the last season. Mr. Van Gaal is absolutely a top manager and his philosophy is very clear,”Mourinho told MUTV.
“My philosophy is different, it’s not better, it’s different. My football is different.
“I am a lot more vertical, I am more intense. I like the ball possession as a way to create a chance to be vertical, I don’t like it just to keep statistically possession of the ball.
“I’m not afraid to play a game with transitions, they will always come during the game, and I am not afraid to lose the ball, I’m not afraid of risk.”
But Mourinho says he is not going to drill home one specific style of play, instead saying he will be adaptable to whatever players he has and the situations he faces.
“The style of play, the players have a huge contribution to that,”the Portuguese continued.
“I think one of my characteristics as a manager is that I can adapt to what I have in hand.
“I feel it is one of my strengths, I don’t defend that a manager should have one style of play, a manager should be open to adapt and to create a style that fits the reality.”
