JOSE Mourinho has signed a new contract with Manchester United to keep him at the club until 2020, with the option of a further year.
Sky Sports News reported earlier this month that the Portuguese was on the verge of signing the deal.
Mourinho won the EFL Cup and Europa League in his first season at Old Trafford and, this season, has United second in the Premier League and through to the Champions League last-16, where they will face Sevilla.
“I am really honoured and proud to be Manchester United manager. I would like to say a big thank you to the owners and to Mr Woodward for the recognition of my hard work and dedication,” Mourinho said.
“I am delighted they feel and trust that I am the right manager for this great club for the foreseeable future. We have set very high standards – winning three trophies in one season – but those are the standards I expect my teams to aim for.
“We are creating the conditions for a brilliant and successful future for Manchester United.”
Ed Woodward, who has been in talks with Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes since last October, said: “Jose has already achieved a great deal as Manchester United manager and I am delighted that he has agreed to extend his commitment until at least 2020.
“His work rate and professionalism are exceptional and he has embraced the club’s desire to promote top quality young players to the first team.
“He has brought an energy and a sense of purpose to everything that he does and I am sure that will continue to bring results for the fans and the club.”
SAINTS ANNOUNCE CARRILLO CAPTURE
Southampton have come to an agreement with Monaco for the transfer of striker Guido Carrillo, Sky Sports reports.
The two clubs have settled on a £19.1m (AU$ 33m) fee which will see Carrillo make the switch to the Premier League.
Southampton have made clear their desire to add a forward during the January transfer window and manager Mauricio Pellegrino earmarked Carrillo as his primary striking target.
As reported by Sky Sports, Saints had a £17.6m offer for the 26-year-old rejected by Monaco earlier in the week.
However, the reigning French champions are now willing to sanction the deal.
Pellegrino previously worked with Carrillo in his native Argentina and rates the forward highly.
Carrillo has made 22 appearances this season but just two of them have been starts in Ligue 1. He has scored 20 goals in over 50 appearances for Monaco since signing from Estudiantes in 2015.
Saints have money to spend following the £75m (AU$ 131m) sale of centre-back Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool, although the fee is to be paid in instalments over the period of his contract.
TUANZEBE LOANED TO VILLA
Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has joined Championship side Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season.
Tuanzebe, 20, joins Steve Bruce’s side for the rest of the season after the two parties finalised a deal on Thursday.
The defender, who has represented England once at under-21 level, has made five senior appearances for United since signing professional terms in 2015.
Tuanzebe told the Aston Villa’s official website: “I am delighted to be here.
“It’s an exciting time at this football club and everyone is pushing for promotion – that’s the big aim, you can feel that here.
“I am determined to help this club achieve its goal.”
United manager Jose Mourinho has said he would allow Tuanzebe to leave Old Trafford on loan in order for him to gain first-team experience, with Leeds also reported to have been interested in a deal.
Tuanzebe last played for United in their 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League at Old Trafford in December.
Aston Villa face Sheffield United in the Sky Bet Championship on January 30 with Tuanzebe now available to bolster their defence.
EX-CHELSEA STAR JOINS NEW CLUB
Former Chelsea and France winger Florent Malouda has joined FC Differdange of the Luxembourg National Division.
The 37-year-old has been training with the club since October and has now signed a deal until the end of the season.
Club president Fabrizio Bei said: “He was looking for a club where he could train and we reached an agreement so he could give us a hand until the end of the season.
“We have been top three for ten years and we have played in the European Cup. We want to play in it again this year and Malouda can help us.”
Malouda spent six years at Chelsea after joining from Lyon in 2007 and won the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Stamford Bridge.
