Jose Mourinho vows he will see out his contract at Manchester United despite fears he will quit: 'My commitment is total and I want to stay'

  • Manchester United are 15 points adrift of Premier League rivals Manchester City 
  • The Red Devils boss has claimed he wants to reach the end of his three-year deal
  • Mourinho's contract expires in 2019 but said he would consider an extension
  • Mourinho stated it is down to the board whether he remains at Old Trafford 

Jose Mourinho has come out fighting amid doubts over his future at Manchester United and insisted that he is open to staying beyond his three-year contract.

Mourinho's relationship with the Old Trafford board is understood to be under strain after he questioned the club's spending as United slipped 15 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

But the United boss claimed that he has no intention of walking away and would be interested in extending his contract which runs out in June 2019.

Manager Jose Mourinho came out fighting over his Manchester United future on Thursday

Jose Mourinho insists he is open to remaining at Manchester United after his three-year deal

Mourinho's United deal expires in June 2019, but he claimed he would consider an extension

Mourinho's United deal expires in June 2019, but he claimed he would consider an extension

Mourinho was also quick to defend his subdued manner on the touchline in comparison to his rival and more animated managers, who he referred to as 'clowns'.


'If you want to ask me directly if I see myself next season in Manchester United, I say I see myself (here),' said Mourinho.

'As I told when I arrived, I'm going to leave when the club wants me to leave because I have no intention to leave at all. My intention is to stay, to work and improve and return the club to where it belongs.

Amid fears he is considering an early exit, Mourinho claimed his 'commitment is total'

Mourinho defended his subdued manner on the touchline claiming he prefers to be mature

Mourinho defended his subdued manner on the touchline claiming he prefers to be mature

Paul Pogba hides his face as he arrives for training on Thursday morning at Carrington

Paul Pogba hides his face as he arrives for training on Thursday morning at Carrington

Romelu Lukaku arrives for Manchester United training on Thursday morning

Romelu Lukaku arrives for Manchester United training on Thursday morning

Spanish playmaker Juan Mata is enjoying a run of games in the United first-team currently

Spanish playmaker Juan Mata is enjoying a run of games in the United first-team currently

'And I don't see any reason not to stay. I still have a contract. I am in the middle of my contract, not the last couple of months, and my desire is to stay until the owners and the board are happy with my work.

'If I am going to sign a new contract it depends on the club, but my commitment is total and I want to stay.

'I see myself here (after three years). It's just a question for the club, the board the owners, Mr (Ed) Woodward. They are all happy with my contribution and they want me to stay beyond the end of this contract.'

Homegrown product Jesse Lingard has been a man in form recently under Mourinho

Homegrown product Jesse Lingard has been a man in form recently under Mourinho

Ander Herrera has sung the praises of Lingard after he netted his seventh goal in nine games

Ander Herrera has sung the praises of Lingard after he netted his seventh goal in nine games

Nemanja Matic has proven a success at the club since his summer switch from rivals Chelsea

Nemanja Matic has proven a success at the club since his summer switch from rivals Chelsea

Left back Luke Shaw waves on his way into the Carrington-based facility

Left back Luke Shaw waves on his way into the Carrington-based facility

Mourinho took exception to suggestions that his downbeat mood on the touchline this season compared to the more animated behaviour of Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp is a sign that he has lost his hunger.

'Because I don't behave as a clown on the touchline? It means I lost my passion?' he replied.

'I prefer to do the way I do it, much more mature, better for my team and myself. You don't have to behave like a crazy guy on the touchline. The way a person is dedicated to his work, not what you do in front of the cameras.'

When it was put to Mourinho that he has rarely stayed in any job beyond three years, he answered: 'Look to my history and see how many teams I built, it's as simple as that.'

Chris Smalling will hope to feature against Derby after being overlooked for the win at Everton

Chris Smalling will hope to feature against Derby after being overlooked for the win at Everton

Zlatan Ibrahimovic drove into training as he continues his recovery from a knee injury

Zlatan Ibrahimovic drove into training as he continues his recovery from a knee injury

Like Ibrahimovic, Antonio Valencia attended for rehab as he recovers from a hamstring injury

Like Ibrahimovic, Antonio Valencia attended for rehab as he recovers from a hamstring injury