Mourinho happy to be 'home' for Christmas

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho refuels during his team's victory against Tottenham earlier this month. Andrew Yates / Reuters

United boss finally feeling settled as he puts difficult start behind him

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho said he is feeling "really at home" at Old Trafford and that foundations are in place for success to return to the club.

Mourinho endured a difficult start to life in Manchester after replacing Louis van Gaal, but the Portuguese's impact has begun to be felt in recent weeks.

United head into today's match against Sunderland on the back of three consecutive Premier League victories and with the Champions League places within reach.

"What I can say is that in here I felt people with open arms. A very calm and intelligent board and owners. They know what they want," said Mourinho.

"They have big experience already. They are very calm, very pragmatic, giving me good conditions to work and the players and people that surround me.

"I felt (aware of) some sadness because people that love football, they want to be successful and everybody tries to help to go in the same direction.

"For me it was easy to come. A difficult job, but easy now to feel at home.

"Easy to feel good in the club, easy to feel that the club wants to progress, the people want to be happy again and I felt good immediately.

"So five, six months here, but really feeling at home. For me it was quite easy.

"Obviously expectations are high, results up and down, and we are in a position that is not the position where we want.

"But in terms of passion for my work, passion for my new club, feeling really happy here, yes."

Mourinho is again set to start with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic against the Black Cats.

The 35-year-old took his United tally to 16 goals with a brace in last weekend's 2-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.

He paid tribute to the endurance of the former Sweden international and his ability to cope with the rigors of the English game, despite his age.