Jose Mourinho's fun time with his staff

This time last year, Jose Mourinho attended Christmas dinner with Chelsea and was sacked the same day as it turned out to be his last supper at their Cobham HQ. Mourinho will have been in a better mood on Wednesday night, then, when he and his Manchester United staff met ahead of a hectic winter schedule. Joining Mourinho was assistant Rui Faria and coaches Silvino Louro, Ricardo Formosinho, Carlos Lalin and Emilio Alvarez.

Also in the background appeared to be Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman. There was room for Giovanni Cerra too, the analyst who took a tongue-lashing from Mourinho ahead of their game against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk in September, when he handed Paul Pogba incorrect instructions. All was forgotten on Wednesday, as United’s staff posed for a photograph which was then posted online by Mourinho’s wife, Matilde. Mourinho is enjoying life in Manchester and spoke on Wednesday about how he would have no hesitation in putting pen to paper on a new contract at Old Trafford.