Jose Mourinho Unveiled in Manchester as New Manager (Photos)

Former Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho has spoken of the 'special honour' to manage Manchester United after being confirmed as their new manager on a four-year contract with the option to cut ties after three years.

United executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward hailed the former Chelsea boss as 'the best manager in the game today' after the club broke the news on football's worst-kept secret on Friday morning.

The new Manchester United manager posted this image of his contract with the club on Instagram

Announcing the appointment, Ed Woodward said: "José is quite simply the best manager in the game today. He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here. "I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward."

José Mourinho said: "To become Manchester United manager is a special honour in the game. It is a club known and admired throughout the world. There is a mystique and a romance about it which no other club can match.

"I have always felt an affinity with Old Trafford; it has hosted some important memories for me in my career and I have always enjoyed a rapport with the United fans. I’m looking forward to being their manager and enjoying their magnificent support in the coming years," Mourinho said.

Mourinho will earn £45million over the course of his three-year contract and work has already started on a summer recruitment drive with £200m available to create a squad capable of a Premier League title challenge.

FA Cup winners United sacked Louis van Gaal following their Wembley win against Crystal Palace and immediately set about finalising Mourinho's arrival.