AFP, Manchester :
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has started to feel “really at home” at Old Trafford and believes foundations are in place to bring success back to the club.
Mourinho endured a difficult start to life in Manchester after succeeding Louis van Gaal, but the Portuguese’s impact has started to be felt in recent weeks.
United head into their Boxing Day fixture against Sunderland on the back of three consecutive Premier League victories and with the Champions League places almost within reach.
“What I can say is that in here I felt people with open arms. A very calm, and intelligent, board and owners. They know what they want,” Mourinho said.
“They have big experience already. Very calm, very pragmatic, giving me good conditions to work and the players and people that surround me.
“I felt (aware of) some sadness because people that love football, they want to be successful and everybody tries to help to go in the same direction.
“For me it was easy to come. A difficult job, but easy now to feel at home.
“Easy to feel good in the club, easy to feel that the club wants to progress, the people want to be happy again and I felt good immediately.
“So five, six months here, but really feeling at home. For me it was quite easy.
“Obviously expectations are high, results up and down, we are in a position that is not the position where we want to be.
“But in terms of passion for my work, passion for my new club, feeling really happy here, yes.”
Mourinho is again set to start with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic against Sunderland, the 35-year-old having taken his United tally to 16 goals with a brace in last weekend’s 2-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.
He paid tribute to the endurance of the former Sweden international and his ability to cope with the rigours of English football despite his advancing years.
