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Jose Mourinho has opened up on why he did not take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, even though he had initially signed an agreement to step into the role in 2013.

When the Scot announced before the end of the 2012/13 season that he was retiring, Mourinho was regarded as one of the leading contenders to become the new manager of the Red Devils.

However, it was David Moyes who went on to replace Ferguson. Moyes was dismissed only 10 months into the position, while Mourinho instead made a return to Stamford Bridge for his second spell in charge of Chelsea.

Manchester United have found it difficult to challenge consistently for the biggest honours in the years following Ferguson’s exit, including after they eventually appointed Mourinho in 2016. In his first season, he led the club to League Cup and UEFA Europa League triumphs, but during his two-and-a-half-year tenure he was unable to bring Premier League or Champions League titles to Old Trafford.

In a new Netflix documentary on his life and career, Mourinho said he had previously agreed to join Old Trafford sooner, but backed out of that contract in order to go back to Chelsea.

“I go to Chelsea in 2013 but in that period there is something nobody knows,” the Portuguese coach said in ‘Mourinho’.

“I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth, and I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth.

“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.”

Mourinho added: “I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.

“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close.

“But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club.

“I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.”

Ferguson said in the documentary that an emotional Mourinho had agreed to move to United, only to reverse his decision a few hours later.

“Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” Ferguson said in the documentary. “And he says, ‘Alex, I can’t take it – I’ve given my word to Chelsea, and I’m not going to break my word’.

“The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed.”

At the time, reports claimed that the late Sir Bobby Charlton had an influence on United’s decision not to appoint Mourinho in 2013, after he had earlier said the Portuguese would not be the right fit for the club.

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