Key Dates From Mourinho's First United Year

To celebrate the first anniversary of Jose Mourinho's appointment as Manchester United manager on 27 May 2016, we've picked out a selection of pivotal moments from his maiden year in charge.

From summer signings and significant victories, to superlatives and silverware, it's been a memorable 12 months. Here are 10 key dates which helped to shape a successful season for the 'Special One'... 

7 AUGUST 2016 - UP AND RUNNING
Mourinho has been no stranger to success throughout his managerial career, and it wasn't long before he was celebrating a first win at Wembley Stadium as United boss. Jose's new-look Reds ran out 2-1 winners in August's Community Shield curtain-raiser against then Premier League champions Leicester, courtesy of goals from Jesse Lingard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The promising victory left United supporters wondering just how much the club could achieve in 2016/17.

9 AUGUST 2016 - #POGBACK
Following his appointment, it quickly became clear to fans in Manchester that Mourinho was a man on a mission. Having already welcomed Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan during the summer transfer window, the manager's fourth and final addition was a real statement of intent, and an indication that United could still attract the world's top talents. Paul Pogba's return to Old Trafford for a world-record fee completed a quartet of key signings and laid the foundations for Jose's first campaign.

24 SEPTEMBER 2016 - LEICESTER OUTFOXED
Leicester were on the receiving end of another excellent display from United, as the Reds scored four first-half goals at Old Trafford on the way to an eventual 4-1 win. Mourinho's team selection was spot on as his side produced arguably the most impressive 45 minutes of the season, with Pogba's goal - his first since rejoining the club - really getting people talking. The Frenchman's header prompted 30,000 tweets per minute on Twitter, making it one of the most talked about moments of the campaign.

23 OCTOBER 2016 - TURNING POINT
While Chelsea v United is always one of the most anticipated games on the Premier League calendar, Jose's return to his former club dominated the back pages in the build-up to the Reds' trip to Stamford Bridge in October. While it was ultimately a day to forget for Mourinho's men following a 4-0 defeat, it could be argued the result spurred a club-record, 25-game unbeaten league run for United.

26 OCTOBER - DERBY DELIGHT
Three days after losing to Chelsea, United faced another tough test as neighbours Manchester City made the short trip across town in the EFL Cup fourth round. It was another important day for Mourinho, up against a familiar foe in Pep Guardiola, as the Reds came out on top thanks to a second-half goal from Juan Mata. Not only were United back to winning ways, but Jose's side would go on to win the competition.

10 JANUARY - MAN MANAGEMENT
United's EFL Cup semi-final first leg victory against Hull in January was a perfect example of Mourinho continuing to get the best out of his players, despite the club's busy schedule. With top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic rested for the game, Mata and Marouane Fellaini stepped up to the plate to put the Reds ahead in the tie, with the latter running to the touchline to hug the manager in celebration. Wayne Rooney was also afforded some valuable game time, and he would go on to break Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record with a late equaliser at Stoke City 11 days later.

16 APRIL - MOURINHO MASTERCLASS
Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford in April saw Mourinho at his finest. The resurgent Reds shocked the league leaders by flying out of the traps and taking advantage with an early goal from Marcus Rashford. Ander Herrera added a second, and much was made of the midfielder's man-marking job on Eden Hazard after the game, with United also neutralising N'Golo Kante and Diego Costa effectively. The tactics were perfect on the day, as were the players.

23 APRIL - GOT MAN UNITED ON MY MIND
"My feeling, my understanding, what I like to share, is that this club is made to win trophies," Mourinho enthused following the Reds' win over Burnley at Turf Moor a week later. If nothing else, this was a key moment for the fans who, more than ever, saw a man who understands what it means to manage United. The travelling supporters had been vocal in their backing of the team and Mourinho throughout the game. 

21 MAY - PROMOTING YOUTH
While Mourinho's sides featured the likes of Rashford and Lingard throughout the campaign, with Tim Fosu-Mensah and, later, Axel Tuanzebe occasionally named on the bench, United's Academy products came to the fore during the final Premier League game of the season. The Reds had a Europa League final to think about but Jose trusted the kids to build some much-needed momentum ahead of the showdown with Ajax in Stockholm. Joel Pereira, Demi Mitchell, Scott McTominay and Josh Harrop, who scored and was named Man of the Match, were all handed their first senior starts as United ran out 2-0 winners. Sixteen-year-old Angel Gomes also came off the bench, to become the club's youngest-ever Premier League player.

24 MAY - COMPLETING THE SET
The final game of 2016/17 was a significant one for so many reasons. Not only did the eventual 2-0 triumph over Ajax in Stockholm ensure Champions League football for United next season, vindicating Mourinho's decision to prioritise the Europa League, it also came just two days after the terror attack on the Manchester Arena. The Reds dedicated the victory to those affected by the awful events back at home.

Credit: Manutd.com