Jose Mourinho hails Premier League in wake of Leicester's fairytale title

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho believes Leicester's fairytale Premier League success would not be possible in other countries.

Mourinho is preparing for his first competitive game in charge at United, which comes up on Sunday at Wembley when they take on Claudio Ranieri's side in the Community Shield.

The new United boss does not expect Leicester to retain their title but feels it is the kind of unlikely story that could happen again.

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"This is the only country where everybody wants this to happen, and it's the only country where the football structures allow this to happen," he said.

"In other countries, the powerful clubs don't want this to happen - they don't want to share the money, the television rights.

"In the other countries, they want to be comfortable and know that they are always the top clubs, in the Champions League. They want it to be a competition of two, three or four and, if possible, just a competition of one. This is a special country.

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"Around Europe you have people who when you listen to them it looks like they are the Mother Teresa in football - but they aren't.

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"You go to many countries and clearly they are happy the way they are. It's not just about them being powerful, it's also going to the clubs that can be direct competition for them and every season steal the best players.

"They don't want a league. In this country, everyone wants a league and this allows an amazing story like the Leicester one, which brings even more credibility to the Premier League. It is why the Premier League is the Premier League."

Mourinho expects Leicester to have a very different season in 2016-17, although does not expect them to slump back into the bottom-half of the table, where many expected them to finish last season.

"I think it will be a different season for them but I think they can cope with the situation," Mourinho added.

"They have a new experience playing in the Champions League, which changes the profile of their season.

"But they have a better squad, they've bought players, the manager is good and experienced - I think they can cope. I hope they can cope. I wish everything goes well for them."