MANCHESTER - Jose Mourinho is so content with his lifestyle in Manchester that he has decided to continue living at the five-star Lowry Hotel.
The Manchester United boss has stayed in the luxury hotel since his arrival last summer and is pencilled in for the whole of next season, too.
United chiefs are relaxed about their manager’s temporary home arrangement, claiming it does not impact on his job, nor suggest a short-term stay.
Mourinho suggested earlier in the year that he could look for properties elsewhere in the city.
The Portuguese’s wife and children are not thought to be moving up from their central London house to join him.
He made regular trips down to the capital when time allowed during a gruelling 64-game debut campaign at Old Trafford.
United’s focus, meanwhile, remains on new signings with Mourinho, currently on holiday, not involved in the negotiating process. Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata is a target.
‘I handed my list to the CEO (Ed Woodward) in April and he has until August 31 to give me what I want — or not.’ Mourinho told VLT this week.
United defender Chris Smalling has defended criticism of his fitness record by insisting he does not need to be ‘pain free’ to play.
Smalling, who is in the England squad for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland, said: ‘I don’t think any player is ever 100 per cent. As players, it’s not about always being 100 per cent. It’s about going on the pitch and doing a job.’
Mourinho highlighted Smalling’s fitness in April when saying he was ‘too cautious’ in his rehabilitation. But Smalling, 27, added: ‘I don’t think I’ve got anything to prove (to Mourinho).
‘He knows my character, he knows what type of player I am.’