Jose Mourinho officially confirmed as Manchester United manager

The Portuguese manager, who has penned a three-year deal, succeeds Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.

"José is quite simply the best manager in the game today. He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here," Ed Woodward told the club's official website.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward."

Sky Sports reported on Thursday that Mourinho had agreed terms at a central London hotel, and the news was finalised on Friday morning.

"To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world," added Mourinho.

"There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.

"I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I’m looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years."

José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix first came to European prominence at Porto who he led to two Primeira Liga titles, the UEFA Cup and the Champions League over a two year period.

A move to Chelsea beckoned and over two spells at the club he claimed three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup to an already burgeoning trophy cabinet.

He claimed a treble at Inter Milan and helped Real Madrid break Barcelona’s dominance of Liga, claiming a first league title in four years back in 2012 having secure the Copa del Rey the season before.

The announcement had reportedly been delayed over a tangle between United and Chelsea over the 53-year-old’s name, with the latter club apparently demanding payment to sign over three separate trademarks.

Mourinho will be tasked with restoring United to the upper echelons of European football. They endured a difficult season that saw them crash out of the Champions League group stages and finish fifth in the Premier League – albeit one that culminated with an FA Cup win.

Mourinho has been without a job since his dismissal from a second spell at Chelsea in December.