In recent years, Manchester United have lacked massively in the final third of the pitch, in both their creation of chances, and the ability of having somebody to put the ball in the net.

However, with the appointment of Jose Mourinho this could all be set to change after the Portuguese manager vowed to bring attacking football back to Old Trafford - much to the delight of United supporters.

"We want to play different to the last season"

In an exclusive interview given with MUTV, after his first press conference, Mourinho compared his philosophy and ideas, to his predecessor Louis van Gaal's tactics at United.

Mourinho first said that he wants to play "different to last season" before going on to explain that his way of football is "different" and "more intense."

Mourinho after being unveiled at his first press conference earlier in the week. (Picture: Getty Images)
Mourinho after being unveiled at his first press conference earlier in the week. (Picture: Getty Images)

"I like the ball possession has a way to create a chance to be vertical," the new United boss declared, adding that he doesn't want "ball possession to be a statistic" and insisting: "I am not afraid to lose the ball, I am not afraid to take a risk."

The Portuguese manager was also very keen to prove he wasn't disrespecting Van Gaal's style-of-play. He did this by making it very clear that he thought the Dutchman is a "top manager" and saying that his philosophy is "very clear" before then going on to say his idea of playing is "not better" but that "it is just different."

Lack of attacking football what eventually cost van Gaal his job?

Since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, Manchester United’s goal scoring tally has decreased season upon season, plummeting to just 49 goals in the Premier League last term.

That was thought to be one of the main factors that was believed to cost Van Gaal his place in the United hot seat. His so-called ‘boring’ football turned many fans against him is his final season and that is surely something that Mourinho will be looking to avoid in his quest to take United back to the top.

A result of Mourinho vowing to bring attacking football back to Old Trafford so early in his role as United manager is surely a prospect that will excite all fans and people working at the club alike, particularly after the recent signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

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About the author
Josh
West Ham United Editor.