Jose Mourinho has claimed that he has “matured” as a manager, despite making a thinly-veiled dig at his counterpart and long-standing rival Pep Guardiola in the very same interview.

The Manchester United manager believes he is currently “more peaceful” than in previous years, having particularly mellowed since the early days of his managerial career.

“Mourinho the man tries to be the opposite of the manager. He tries to be discreet, calm; find the way to disconnect,” he told France Football, in an exclusive interview to be published in full on Tuesday.

Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Victor Valdes – 5 out of 10 His double save was a moment of excellence, but he was beaten twice by Fellaini and Lingard and conceded a calamitous third. AFP/Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Antonio Barragan – 5 out of 10 Held his shape well at the back, but was beaten by the occasional over the top ball. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Bernardo Espinosa – 3 out of 10 Really struggled against the pace of Rashford and the other United forwards. An afternoon to forget. AFP/Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Ben Gibson – 5 out of 10 Tried in vain to start attacks by hitting long-passes forward but had a difficult afternoon. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Fabio – 6 out of 10 Looked assured in possession and did well going forwards; one of Middlesbrough's better players. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Marten De Roon – 5 out of 10 He worked relentlessly, but ultimately failed to make an impact on the game. He was outplayed in the midfield. AFP/Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Adam Clayton – 4 out of 10 He looked lost at times – drifting in and out the game. Lost possession quickly and failed to read the game. Man Utd via Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Grant Leadbitter – 6 out of 10 Was a key element to almost every Boro move – making clever and quick decisions in possession. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Stewart Downing – 5 out of 10 Wasteful in possession and failed to make an impact going forward. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Alvaro Negredo – 5 out of 10 Was Middlesbrough's principal target man but he was always surrounded by a sea of United shirts. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Gaston Ramirez – 6 out of 10 Caused a nuisance of himself, but was guilty of dropping too deep at times. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings David De Gea – 5 out of 10 Had very little to do. Unfortunate with Middlesbrough's goal. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Eric Bailly – 5 out of 10 Ramirez was getting the better of him at times due to his slack man-marking. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Chris Smalling – 6 out of 10 Intercepted a handful of important crosses and led the United defence well. Could have done better to clear the ball for Gestede’s goal. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Phil Jones – 5 out of 10 Held his own at the back, but made a number of unnecessary fouls. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Ashley Young – 6 out of 10 His assist for the opening goal was an example of his ability, although he drifted out of the game late on. Man Utd via Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Michael Carrick – 6 out of 10 A textbook Carrick display. He created chances, defended well and his work rate was relentless. AFP/Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Marouane Fellaini – 7 out of 10 Opened the scoring for United with a header. Tough tackling and used possession well throughout. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Antonio Valencia - 5 out of 10 Defended well, but looked even better going forward to support the strikers. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Juan Mata – 7 out of 10 Looked dangerous going forward and classy on the ball. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Jesse Lingard – 7 out of 10 His goal was an example of his individual ability – fully deserved. He linked well with Rashford throughout. Getty Images Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3 player ratings Marcus Rashford – 6 out of 10 Should have scored, especially in the first half. Worked well, but needs to be more clinical. AFP/Getty Images

“I can go home and not watch a football game, not think football. I can do it. At the beginning of my career, I could not. I was constantly connected, 24 hours a day.

“I had to find a form of maturity. Today, I feel good with my personality as a man. I have matured, I am more peaceful. A victory no longer represents the moon and a defeat no longer means hell.

“I believe that I am able to transmit this serenity to those who work with me, to my players. I have the same ambitions as before.

“The same involvement, the same professionalism, but I'm more in control of my emotions,” he added.



In an excerpt of the same interview, Mourinho discusses his decision to join United and suggests that it is more challenging to manage in the Premier League than other elite European leagues.

In what could be construed as a jibe at Guardiola, he chose the Manchester City manager’s former club, Bayern Munich, as an example of team who can easily dominate their domestic division.

“In England, clubs are so economically powerful that the market is open to all,” he said. “Take the example of Bayern in Germany. You know when they start winning the title every year? The summer before, they buy the best player of Borussia Dortmund. Götze, then Lewandowski the following year, then Hummels last year.

“Me, I arrive at a club that has a great and prestigious history, but that can no longer be declined in the same way,” Mourinho added.

“No club in England, whether it's Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City can no longer be dominant permanently. Power has divided.”

Today, I feel good with my personality as a man. I have matured, I am more peaceful. A victory no longer represents the moon and a defeat no longer means hell. Jose Mourinho

Mourinho appeared to make a similar dig at Guardiola while celebrating his third Premier League title win with Chelsea in May 2015.

“For me, I'm not the smartest guy to choose countries and clubs. I could choose another club in another country where to be champion is easier,” he said after a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.