Mourinho believes his touchline behaviour has been near-impeccable this term

Manchester United's Jose Mourinho believes he is the best-behaved manager in the Premier League.

Mourinho's touchline antics have been well documented over the years, and the Portuguese has previously clashed with football's authorities.

But Mourinho says he has made a concerted effort to improve his behaviour on the sidelines, although he admits he cannot be described as "perfect" just yet.

"I am fully committed to win the award this season of the best-behaved manager on the touchline," Mourinho said. "I am serious!

Mourinho has previously clashed with opposition managers on the touchline

"There are so many awards - performance of the week, manager of the month and this and that - they should give one (to) the guy that behaves best on the touchline and it should be the fourth official to vote.

"I'm pretty sure that I would win. I'm serious! I didn't create one problem to one fourth official on a touchline, apart from my red card at Southampton when I put a foot on the pitch.

The Portuguese was sent to the stands at St Mary's in September

"I'm serious, I prepare myself, I'm really happy. I'm not free of losing my temper, my control in one match. I'm not perfect.

"I'm not going from the Bad One to the Perfect One, no way, but I try, I make an effort and I'm happy with the way things are going."

While Mourinho is largely happy with the state of refereeing in the English game, he feels he has a duty to speak up and try and protect his players when he feels they have been singled out for rough treatment.

"I feel that English football has some cultural heritage, tradition, and there are some qualities I really like in the game," Mourinho added.

Alexis Sanchez is targeted by opposing players, says Mourinho

"But I have to cry a little bit, I have to try to protect my players because, really, you can see the way Alexis was welcomed.

"Yes, he's a tough boy, he's a pure guy. He copes with that, and at Yeovil too in difficult conditions with some bad tackles like against Huddersfield, and the referees have just to... I don't like the word protect the players because it looks like they have to protect only the top players - and I think on the pitch every player is the same.

"They can't look at a player and say this guy is very talented so I have to protect him. No, they have to protect them equally."