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Paul Ince warns Manchester United fans to not expect immediate success

Jose Mourinho is welcomed to Manchester United's training base by Ed Woodward
Image: Jose Mourinho is welcomed to Manchester United's training base by Ed Woodward

Paul Ince has warned Manchester United supporters not to expect guaranteed success under new manager Jose Mourinho.

Ince, who won two Premier League titles in his six-year spell at Old Trafford, believes Mourinho is the right man to succeed Louis van Gaal.

However, the former England international has warned fans to not expect too much, too soon from the Portuguese.

"I like to think they've got the right man, but you never know," Ince said. "You hear chairmen saying we've got the right man here and six months down the line they lose their job.

Jose Mourinho vists Aon Training Complex
Image: Mourinho was appointed as United's new manager in May

"You see it all the time. I'm sure when Van Gaal went to Man United everybody said 'yeah, we've got the right man'.

"He was successful at Ajax and Barcelona but two seasons down the line he's got the sack."

Mourinho returns to management for the first time since his sacking from Chelsea last December.

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The 53 year-old departed Stamford Bridge with the Blues languishing in 16th place in the Premier League and Ince believes the time away from football will have benefited the Portuguese manager.

Louis van Gaal Manager of Manchester United applauds
Image: Ince says fans also welcomed the appointment of Louis van Gaal

"Something was bugging him last year," Ince said. "I don't know what it was, but he wasn't happy at Chelsea and you could see that in the way he was acting and talking, he didn't seem comfortable for some reason.

"It was a good time for him to get out and recharge his batteries. He's a world-class manager, now at the biggest club in the world.

LONDON - AUGUST 18:  Manchester United player Paul Ince in action during the 1990 FA Charity Shield v Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 18, 1990
Image: Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince says Mourinho is not guaranteed to succeed next season

"Mourinho's CV speaks for itself. He's won all over the place, Champions Leagues, titles and he's a winner. He knows how to win.

"So from a credential point of view you've got to say he's the right man, but we'll have to see what happens in the next couple of months."

Ince says Mourinho will have to win over the Old Trafford faithful, many of whom became disillusioned with the club's defensive style of play under Van Gaal.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 27:  Marcus Rashford of England looks on ahead of the International Friendly match between England and Australia at Stadium of Li
Image: Ince urged Mourinho to continue the club's policy with regards to playing academy players, including Marcus Rashford

"How is Mourinho going to play? He likes his experienced players," Ince said. "What does that say about the young players?

"His style of football really at the back end of last year wasn't great and this is the biggest thing with Manchester United fans, they want the Man United style of football."

Ince was speaking at a promotion for a new short film entitled 'The Guv'Nor', in which he stars alongside Jimmy Bullard as part of a Carling advertisement campaign. 

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