Press conference recap
Thanks for following our live blog on the manager's media briefing. Below are the main points - scroll further down to read the main quotes from Jose Mourinho as we look forward to tomorrow's game at West Brom. Goodbye for now.
Could winter know-how be key?
Jose was asked if his experience of English football in winter could help United catch rival managers who are used to a rest at this time of year. "No, I don't think so. Chelsea and Liverpool are playing only one match every week. And although Pep [Guardiola, Man City] is used to a winter break, he’s a very intelligent person, a very intelligent manager. I don’t think it will be a problem for him."
Tony on Jose
Pulis added, on his counterpart at United: "Jose is a top manager and he will get it right there. They've drawn four or five games where they could have won, they have dominated possession and chances. I think they'll finish in the top four."
Speaking of Pulis...
Sticking with West Brom's boss, he's been quoted on Twitter as saying all this about United: "They are on an unbeaten run and they deserve respect. They've got threats from everywhere and it'll be tough for us."
14:58 GMT
PULIS THE PRIZE WINNER
Mourinho says his opposite number at West Brom tomorrow, Tony Pulis, has won 'trophies' at all the Premier League clubs he has managed. "He didn’t get relegated with Stoke, that’s a trophy," explained Jose. "He didn’t get relegated with West Brom - another trophy. Not relegated with Palace - another trophy, and so on. He has lots of trophies, and by that I mean he reaches targets."
Any incoming?
The manager added: "If the conditions are right for the club, then we will have to react. Let’s see what happens, but at the moment if you ask me if I am waiting for someone to be here on 1 January, not at all. I like my squad, I trust my squad."
Jose on the January window
With just 15 days to go until the transfer market reopens, a question about whether United might have any activity was inevitable. "I’m quiet and calm. I’ll see what happens," replied Jose. "I like to keep my squad the same but I repeat, as a manager I never feel that I have the right to stop people to try to be happier and to try to give a different direction to their careers."
IBRA IS ESSENTIAL
One player who seems certain to face West Brom tomorrow is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. When asked if it's impossible to leave out his 35-year-old top scorer, Jose said: "It is, it is... He’s doing phenomenal, and tomorrow he’s going to play again, and then one week to rest [until the next match]."
Latest on Luke and Henrikh
As well as repeating the line he gave to MUTV earlier about Bailly being unavailable and Smalling making his return, the United manager told the assembled journalists that "Shaw and Mkhitaryan are still out."
Target for Yuletide
The manager continued on the topic of accumulating points against West Brom, Sunderland and Middlesbrough: "What we have to try to do in these three remaining matches [in December] is be in a position that gives us a chance in the second part of the season," he said. "We are playing really well; if we can transform performances into results, we have a chance."
Chance to make up ground?
Jose was asked at the press conference if he sees the busy Christmas period as an opportunity to close the gap to the top four. He replied: "Half-way through the race is not until 31 December, but I would say for the first half of the race it would be almost impossible to be in the top four. But, one thing is to be 15 points from the top four, another is to be five points from the top four."
MORE FROM MOURINHO
MUTV will show the full exclusive interview with Jose, featuring his thoughts on Tony Pulis and West Brom, in Countdown to Kick-off at 18:30 GMT this evening and in Match Day Live from 16:30 tomorrow. In the meantime, stand by to read some of his press conference quotes here from 13:00 today.
Bailly back for Boxing Day?
The good news regarding Eric Bailly is that his injury "doesn’t look as serious as we first thought." Mourinho added in his MUTV interview: "Normally we hope to have him back for the Christmas period."
TEAM NEWS ON MUTV
Jose Mourinho spoke to MUTV's Stewart Gardner shortly before the press conference and gave him an update on two defenders. Eric Bailly "can't be in this game" but Chris Smalling "is coming back" and could face West Brom tomorrow.
Last season v West Brom
Our two fixtures against West Brom in the 2015/16 season resulted in a 2-0 home win but a 1-0 away defeat. In the victory at Old Trafford, Jesse Lingard scored his first senior goal.
13:12 GMT
Beware the Baggies
As Zlatan Ibrahimovic said after Wednesday's win over Crystal Palace, United's confidence is growing and the team is building momentum at an important time of the season. But nobody in the Reds' camp will be underestimating Tony Pulis' West Brom side, who have won four of their last six league games.
13:05 GMT
Reds eye fourth straight win
The cliched 'busy festive period' is upon us as United prepare for the second of five Premier League games in 19 days over Christmas and New Year. Mourinho's men are targeting a fourth consecutive win in all competitions when visiting The Hawthorns on Saturday. Read our preview of the 17:30 GMT kick-off.
13:01 GMT
Welcome to our live blog
Hello and thanks for joining us. We're getting set for Jose Mourinho's press conference at the Aon Training Complex - look out for updates in this blog from 13:00 GMT as the boss speaks to the media ahead of United's trip to West Brom on Saturday.
12:57 GMT
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