Jesse Lingard is enjoying the relaxed atmosphere at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho, stating the manager keeps making jokes in training.
The Portuguese coach replaced Louis van Gaal at the helm of the Premier League side with the intent of bringing the Red Devils back to the pinnacle of English and European football.
The expectation surrounding the club has increased following Mourinho's appointment, but the signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the world record transfer of Paul Pogba has seen the hype surrounding the Old Trafford outfit move up a level.
However, Lingard says the players are still having fun as they prepare for their first Premier League game of the season, with the manager himself being the main source of humour.
"He’s the main coach and the main manager. He takes all the sessions and, while he wants us to work hard, he is always cracking jokes and having banter with the players," Lingard told The Mirror.
"I thought he’d be very strict but, even though he works us hard and his mind is always on the job at all times, he also has a joke with the players.
"I think that has helped the lads bond with him.
"He has that presence and aura about him, but you can still speak to him about anything and he will always try to help.”
Mourinho is targeting the Premier League title in his first season and Lingard admits the ex-Chelsea boss is looking forward to getting the campaign underway.
"He is definitely excited," he added. "Even after the friendly win over Wigan, he was buzzing about the win, with it being his first game.
"He wants to do everything he can to help us be successful.
"If you look at what he’s done over the years and the teams he’s managed, he’s obviously won a lot of trophies. Hopefully we can help him get a trophy in his first season.
"We want to be in the Champions League, of course, but our focus is on the title."
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