Mourinho: Why Alexis will be better next season

Speaking to the media ahead of United's clash against Liverpool, the boss said the club has not got the best out of Alexis yet due to him joining in the January transfer window.

"He came in the worst moment of the season, which is the winter market," the manager told reporters. "That's why I don't like the winter market very much.

"I think this was a chance that we didn't want to lose and we made it, but we don't believe a lot in the winter market and for sure next season it will be better for him."

Alexis hasn't shied away from the limelight during his opening weeks at Old Trafford, which have included assists in the Emirates FA Cup ties against Yeovil and Huddersfield, plus a Man-of-the-Match display against the Terriers in the Premier League in which he scored his first goal in United colours.

"He's not afraid to take responsibility," Mourinho said on Friday. "He is not afraid to try to make things to happen, when he feels that he's not as dangerous as you'd like to be, he drops back, he tries things, he tries to come to building up areas, when he makes mistakes he tries to compensate immediately."

When asked whether the Chilean was disappointed with how his United career was started, Mourinho was quick to assure reporters the player is happy.

"He's fine, he's happy that the team is getting results. Lately he wasn't happy when we lost matches with him, but he's a guy with great maturity, with great attitude and we couldn't be happier."

United's Premier League match against Liverpool kicks off at 12:30 GMT on Saturday and MUTV will be live from 10:30.