How Mourinho Spent The International Break

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was hard at work over the last two weeks while many of his players were on international duty, as he prepared for a hectic schedule that starts with Saturday's huge match against Arsenal.

The Reds may have not kicked a ball since the 3-1 win at Swansea City at the start of the month, but there has been no let-up for Mourinho and his coaching staff, who chose to use the spell as a chance to get ready for the forthcoming games.

"I’m probably different to other managers in the way that some get holidays and disappear; they go to their countries and they go to sunny countries and they enjoy their life. I’m not that kind of person – for me, holidays are in June, not now, so I stayed," Jose told MUTV. 

"I’ve worked and I’ve trained with the group of 10 players we’ve had here, also training with some of the young players from Nicky Butt’s side who joined me," he added.

"I was analysing opponents, I was scouting with my scouting department, I was preparing for the matches that are coming up against Arsenal, West Ham and Feyenoord."

Although the boss was on duty at the Aon Training Complex for most of the fortnight break, he did afford himself two days off, travelling to London to indulge one of his other sporting passions.

"I had a couple of days off and went to London for my family," Jose told us. "I also went to the tennis [the ATP World Tour Finals] because it’s a sport I don’t just enjoy but I learn from, especially from a mental and tactical point of view.

"So it was a good two weeks for me, but I want to play matches – and the match is tomorrow."