Why Jose Loves Boxing Day

Jose Mourinho has claimed he “loves” to work on Boxing Day because it rewards the Manchester United fans watching the team in action, both at Old Trafford and around the world.

The Reds are currently preparing to face Sunderland in the Premier League and that means the squad will train on Christmas Day, before staying over in the team hotel away from their families.

Although their respective loved ones clearly miss the manager and his players, Mourinho has explained that his group are all aware of how special and important festive fixtures are to Reds supporters.

Asked what Christmas is like for a Premier League manager, the boss told MUTV on Friday: “I love it! I know that the family miss something from us, but the family loves us. They know us, they know our nature, they know that we are happy playing football, giving all of the people that love football something really special in a period when almost no countries has football for the fans." 

Expanding on his point, Mourinho continued: “So, in the end, the family is happy because we are happy. I really like it and, for me, Boxing Day is a very special day to work and to give people something that they love. 

"We all know that this country is in love with football, Manchester is in love with Manchester United and I am more than happy to work on Boxing Day.”