Manchester United appoint Mourinho as manager

Manchester United have appointed José Mourinho as manager on a three-year deal, with the option of extending his terms until 2020.

Mourinho takes over at Old Trafford following the departure of Louis van Gaal, which was confirmed on Monday despite the Dutchman leading United to FA Cup glory at the weekend. Mourinho, 53, worked under Van Gaal at Barcelona in the 1990s.

• Highlights: Mourinho's three major European wins
• All-time XI: Mourinho's most influential players

"To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game," Mourinho said. "It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.

"I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I'm looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years."

The Portuguese inherits a team which finished fifth in this season's Premier League and reached the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League, having exited at the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in December, barely six months after guiding them to the 2014/15 title in the first campaign of his second spell at Stamford Bridge. He has won eight top-flight championships in all, as well as two UEFA Champions Leagues, one UEFA Europa League and seven major domestic cups.