But perhaps that is no surprise given how little resistance he offered to the notion that it was always his “destiny” to manage United. What is clear is that, having waited long enough to get the job he craved, he has no intention of wasting time in it, and as he barely paused for breath over the course of an illuminating interview, the man charged with putting United back on top after three troubled years revealed:

His pitch to persuade Zlatan Ibrahimovic to join United

His plans for Juan Mata at Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney’s continuation as captain

His determination to stay at United for the long haul

From the moment he introduced himself to Old Trafford 12 years ago with that brazen dash down the touchline to celebrate the goal that sent his Porto team into the Champions League quarter-finals, Mourinho has been a source of fascination for many United fans, whose playful chiding of a man they came to view as a pantomime villain at Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid often hinted at a begrudging respect for the Portuguese’s talents.