Giggs made a record 963 appearances for United and served as a coach under David Moyes and Van Gaal’s assistant.
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Others have said he just wanted to remain as assistant and that was not feasible as Mourinho is bringing his faithful lieutenant Rui Faria with him.
Mourinho bridled at suggestions he did not promote young players, saying he had promoted 49 players from academies, but admitted he meant to sign another big-name player to bring to four the number of close-season signings at United. “It’s not my responsibility that Ryan is not in club. If you want, I can give you that list”.
Jose Mourinho’s first news conference at Manchester United didn’t get going until someone asked him about his record of bringing through youth players.
To mark his arrival, Mourinho posted a photo of him alighting a train at Manchester Piccadilly station on Instagram accompanied by the words “I am here/UNITED we can”.
“Ryan (Giggs) wanted my job”, said Mourinho.
“They love the club and some of them are in the pundit industry in this moment, so every opinion will be important for me”.
“I think he is ready to manage and he has a lot of quality”, said Ferguson.
“Ryan could have been what he wanted – any important job – but he made a decision where you need to be fearless”.
“It happened with myself”.
“It’s not easy. I had a contract at Barcelona in 2000 to be assistant for two more years”. He was courageous, he was honest, so good luck. “I would never stop him coming back, I would always say yes”. “And if the club offers him the chance to become the manager it will be natural and a effect of his managerial career”.
Mourinho will be unveiled to the press on Tuesday as the Red Devils’ third permanent manager since Ferguson resigned in 2013 after 27 years in charge at Old Trafford.
Mourinho added: “I never promote players because of a need – I do it because of conviction”. “That was great advice”.
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“In spite of the attacks of the media – and not only the media, the legends and other kinds of people – I am here and I am fighting”, said Van Gaal, not long before he was given the old heave-ho. Mourinho was spotted leaving the hotel at 7:50am yesterday to travel to United’s Carrington training ground with plenty of work to do as United prepare for the new season.
