Mourinho’s suggestion that he would like to stay longer at United than at any of his previous clubs has been met with scepticism — unfairly, he believes

On an antique sofa at the top of a sweeping staircase at Carlton House Terrace, in London’s most aristocratic neighbourhood, José Mourinho looks almost as regal as his surroundings. Manchester United are the early frontrunners in the Premier League and all, for once, appears calm in his kingdom. Too calm, he suggests with a devilish smile. “I don’t like the sea to be flat,” he says, and moments later he repeats it for good measure.

Mourinho feels there can be such a thing as too much tranquillity. “I like to put pressure on myself,” he says, “I like to take the watch and put it forward. At the moment it’s 2.30pm. If I have to be some place at 3pm, I tell myself it’s ten