Mourinho set to face the press

Last updated : 05 July 2016 By Footymad

A large media presence is anticipated as the former Chelsea boss is presented at a morning press conference at Old Trafford.

It will be the 53-year-old's first public function since he was confirmed as Louis van Gaal's successor in May.

The Portuguese is charged with the responsibility of resurrecting the FA Cup holders' title-winning fortunes following last season's disappointing fifth-placed Premier League finish and their failure to secure Champions League qualification.

The press conference comes early in what could be a busy week as Mourinho familiarises himself with the set-up and looks to finalise the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Yet even though Mourinho only officially began work at the AON Training Complex on Monday, he has been busy behind the scenes for some weeks.

Since his appointment United have signed former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer and Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly in a reported £30million deal from Villarreal

New contracts have also been agreed with Marcus Rashford, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Michael Carrick.

Mourinho could be asked questions about Juventus and France star Paul Pogba, who has been linked with a return to United for a world-record fee, four years after leaving the club.

Mkhitaryan, the Borussia Dortmund playmaker, is poised to complete his move to United after the German club agreed an "enormously valuable offer" thought to be around £26million.

The other main news at Old Trafford this week has been the exit of Ryan Giggs after 29 years at the club.

The former United winger has left to further his coaching career elsewhere after two years as Van Gaal's number two.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Giggs' manager throughout his playing career, can understand why Mourinho wanted to bring in his own assistant boss.

Ferguson, who retired in 2013, told BBC Sport: "Obviously the question everyone is asking is why is Ryan not his assistant.

"Come on. Jose Mourinho has had an assistant for years, you've got to have your assistant as someone you've trusted all your life.

"If he hadn't had an assistant, I know Jose would've taken Ryan, but that's not the case so therefore, quite rightly, Jose has stood by his own man."

Ferguson has no doubt Giggs has the capability to succeed as a manager elsewhere.

He said: "Ryan will now stand on his own feet. He is ready for that, he has all the experience behind him.

"He has been the most successful player in the Premier Division, had an incredible career with 20 years running up and down the touchline

No (other) player could possibly have done that, (he) is unique - a bit of a freak really, an amazing man."

Meanwhile, United clarified foreign reports about defender Chris Smalling after it was claimed he had been rushed to hospital following a surfing accident while on holiday in Bali and may even have been stung by a jellyfish

A picture of the England international appeared to show him in hospital with his head and wrist bandaged, wearing a neck brace and on a drip.

But a United statement read: "Chris Smalling has had food poisoning during his holiday which resulted in him fainting on Sunday

The 26-year-old defender was taken to the hospital and is now feeling fine."

Source: PA