We so often see managers bring in reliable players from their former clubs when they take over a new dugout.
When Jose Mourinho signed on the dotted line with Manchester United, the only former player he signed up was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with whom he worked at Inter Milan.
But the Portuguese reportedly attempted to sign former Chelsea winger Willian during the summer transfer window, if the player’s comments are to be believed.
The Brazil international has been in and out of the table-topping Blues side this season as new boss Antonio Conte has alternated between Pedro and Willian, whose mother tragically passed away before Christmas.
But the 28-year-old could so well have been arguing with Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba over free-kick duties at Old Trafford this season as Willian has admitted that United tried to sign him before the start of the season.
“Concrete I do not know, right? But there was interest, yes,” Willian told Globo Esporte, as translated by Manchester Evening News. “It was Manchester United, because Mourinho is there too.
“Other clubs I do not know, but there are always some things on the internet. But I’m glad to know that clubs have to admire my work.”
Mourinho signed Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013, just after Mourinho had returned to Stamford Bridge, and the winger has gone on to score 26 goals in 162 games for the Blues.
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