Carragher: Mourinho Will Turn Manchester United Back Into Winners

Manchester United will soon be Premier League title challengers under Jose Mourinho and their rivals should be worried, says Jamie Carragher.

United last won the English top flight in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson and have stuttered ever since with David Moyes and Louis van Gaal unable to reignite their fortunes.

Following the news on Thursday evening that Mourinho had signed his contract to become the new boss, Carragher believes the Portuguese will have the team pushing for silverware again.

The Sky Sports football expert told Sky Sports News HQ: "He'll have the same impact he's had with every team. It was a bit different at Chelsea with the way he finished there but that will make him doubly determined to make that right and that bodes well for United.

"Next season, you'd expect them to be challenging for honours. You can't win something every season - even Mourinho doesn't do that. The disappointing thing for United is that since Sir Alex Ferguson left they haven't really competed for top honours but they certainly will do next season.

"If you look of his time at Chelsea, he said it would take them 12 months and that he should be judged in the second season. It will be similar at United. They've got a chance of winning the league in his first season but they would have to bring in the right players in the summer.

"There's no doubt that in 12 months he'll be turning that squad into title challengers and after a year then maybe even title winners. The next season they could still win of course - you can't put that past Jose Mourinho."

Asked if the former Real Madrid boss had a point to prove, Carragher added: "Yes I think so. He's a very competitive man and he's always got a point to prove in every job.

"He wasn't used to what happened last season at Chelsea - nobody was used to seeing that - but he will be so determined to put that right and that's something to worry about for rest of the Premier League."

Mourinho is likely to be handed a large budget to restore the Old Trafford team to winnings ways and Carragher does not believe a huge overhaul is needed.

"For United, it's never as bad as it seems," the former Liverpool defender said. "They were close to a top-four spot and won the FA Cup. They are not that far away.

"Two or three top players can make a massive difference At Chelsea, Mourinho brought in Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa and he took the team to another level. Three or four additions would put them well on the way."

One big positive to come out of Van Gaal's two-year reign was the introduction of academy players, with Marcus Rashford in particular a blossoming talent who is now set for his England debut.

Asked if Rashford should fear the arrival of Mourinho, Carragher said: "As a young player, you're always concerned and Van Gaal thought highly of him.

"But now he's got to prove himself again. But if he continues in the same vein of form, he will be fine. The way he's playing, you can't leave him out no matter who the manager is.

"The most important thing is for United is to start competing for trophies and there's no one better on the market for doing that than Jose Mourinho."

Credit: Skysports.com