Jose Mourinho calls Manchester United exit talk 'garbage'
The Old Trafford manager insists he is already looking beyond the end of his current three-year contract with the club
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Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho has dismissed reports that he may walk out on Manchester United this summer as “garbage.”
And the Old Trafford manager insists he is already looking beyond the end of his current three-year contract with the club and sees himself staying long-term in the north-west.
Mourinho was in defiant mood when quizzed about his future ahead of the FA Cup tie with Derby, with morning reports claiming club officials fear he is disenchanted with life at United.
"Look, it depends on what you want to know and what you want to speak about," Mourinho said. "If you want to speak about some news, I say ‘garbage.’ I don't find a better word to define the talk.
"If you want to ask me directly, which I suppose you want, if I see myself next season in Manchester United, I say I see myself here. And, as I said 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, and to work and to improve and to bring the club where to where the club belongs and I want to stay. And I don't see any reason not to stay.
“Yes, I still have a contract, in fact I am in the middle of my contract, I am not in the last couple of months, and my desire is to stay until the owners and the board is happy with my work.”
Mourinho has looked an unhappy figure in recent weeks as United’s title bid has faltered and they suffered a shock Carabao Cup exit at Championship side Bristol City.
There have been suggestions that Mourinho has been unhappy at the relative lack of spending power at his disposal, claims which he also denied.
And Mourinho was upset at suggestions that his decision to live in a hotel, rather than buy a home in Manchester, is a sign of him lacking professionalism or commitment to his job.
He said: “Speaking about my work and connecting my work to the garbage news is to say that the worst thing anyone can do to myself, is not to say that I am a bad manager, is not to say that I am under-performing or that I made a mistake in this game or that game, the worst thing someone can do is put one inch of doubt about my professionalism, my dedication to my club, to my job, to my players.
"So yes, the garbage news affected me just on this aspect because it's something I don't admit.
“But again, I repeat I am in the middle of my contract, if I am going to sign a new one or no, of course it depends on the club but my commitment with the club is total and I want to stay.”
Mourinho is in early talks over a contract extension with executive vice chairman Ed Woodward and believes he will remain beyond his current deal.
He said: “Yes, I see myself here. I repeat, it is just a question of the club, the board, the owners, Mr Woodward, they all want, they all are happy with my contribution and they want me to stay beyond the end of this contract."
United expect to welcome back Romelu Lukaku after he suffered a suspected concussion against Southampton last week for the Friday evening cup tie with Derby. Marouane Fellaini may also return from injury while back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero will replace David de Gea.
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