Mourinho: The reasons why I choose to live in a hotel

The manager has subsisted in such conditions since taking charge of the club in the summer of 2016, and has repeatedly played down suggestions that he is unhappy living in the north of England.

During a press conference at the Aon Training Complex, to preview the Emirates FA Cup third-round tie against Derby County, Mourinho spoke at length about his commitment to United and why he imagines himself staying at Old Trafford beyond the conclusion of his three-year contract.

When one journalist asked if he "understands the concerns" of fans who may not understand his decision not to buy a house in the Manchester area, Jose was amusingly honest in his response.

"No," said the boss. "If the fans want me to be comfortable, then that's the way I feel very comfortable, because I am very lazy and because I like to arrive in the hotel. I don't want anyone to be worried about me living in a two-square metre room. I am living in an apartment inside of a hotel where I have all the comfort and support, where I have everything that I want like I'm living in a house. So if they are worried about me being comfortable and happy and supported, I really am. 

"If they want me to be in some house that I don't like, lonely and away from my assistants, then I could do this for them. But then I would be a sad guy and a sad guy doesn't work well."

Mourinho has also accepted that he might always be associated with Chelsea more than United, due to his historic achievements at Stamford Bridge and the enormous history at Old Trafford that has preceded him. However, he says the Blues are firmly in his past and the future is most definitely red.

"The difference now between Chelsea and Manchester United is that I really belong to Chelsea’s history, because I won three Premier Leagues, I won cups, I won lots of things there," Jose told reporters. "The club won their first Premier League in 2004 so I think I have a history there.

"Here my history is the history of somebody that works hard every day and we won the only competition that the club had never won, but everybody knows that the Europa League is not the Eldorado of football. I come in a moment where it's more difficult to make history.

"So probably people look at me still as the Jose who came to Chelsea in 2004, was at Chelsea for two periods and was champion. But that is my past, it's my past. My present is Manchester United and I hope my future is Manchester United too."

United’s FA Cup tie against Derby County kicks off at 20:00 GMT and MUTV are live from 18:00.