Jose’s challenge to United

Jose Mourinho has set Manchester United an ‘unrealistic’ goal of winning the title — and does not mind being labelled arrogant for it.

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Jose Mourinho has set Manchester United an ‘unrealistic’ goal of winning the title — and does not mind being labelled arrogant for it.

The 53-year-old will walk United out for the first time in domestic competition at Wembley against Leicester City in today’s Community Shield as he bids to turn around a nightmare three seasons for the Old Trafford club.

Mourinho insists they can finish on top of the Premier League despite falling out of the top four under Louis van Gaal last year, and believes his players will respond well to the improbable target.

‘I like to create that expectation, I like the players to feel it,’ Mourinho said. ‘Sometimes during my career I’ve created some unrealistic targets and by creating these you push the team to unexpected levels.

‘To win the Champions League with Porto or Inter is unexpected and a very risky objective. To win championships in the first season is a little bit of the same but I like that.’

United last won the league in 2013 and have fallen behind Premier League rivals during a period of stagnation.

Mourinho has shaken the club up since his summer arrival and it is hoped they will be in a position to announce the signing of midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus this week.

And the Portuguese has no qualms with others taking a pop at his ego for suggesting they can clinch the title in his first season.

‘It doesn’t matter where I am, everyone expects big things. It’s nothing new for me,’ Mourinho added.

‘People analyse it as arrogant and so on, that’s not a problem for me. The reality is I always feel [for] players, managers, clubs [that] this kind of very difficult target can only help us. – Mail On Sunday