New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has swatted away any suggestions that he influenced Ryan Giggs' decision to depart Old Trafford.
Giggs left United after 29 years as a player and assistant manager with Mourinho bringing in his own assistant Rui Faria on board.
Facing the media in his new role as manager, Mourinho also added that he will not stand in Giggs' way if the Welshman decides to return to the club.
"It's not my responsibility that Ryan [Giggs] is not in the club. The job Ryan wanted is the job the club decided to give me," he said.
"It's not my fault. Ryan wanted to be Manchester United manager, and the club, for the only the reasons the club can tell you, they decided the job was for me. From this moment Ryan decieded he wanted to be a manager, like in 2000 I decided myself I wanted to be a manager. For many of us we start as assistant coaches and arrives a moment where we have to make a decision, and Ryan made a decision. For Ryan it's not just a step of going from assistant manager to manager, he also has to leave his home. 29 years is not 29 days - he was brave and honest so good luck. And if one day he wants to come to the club while I'm here I'll never stop him from coming back. I will always say yes if the club asks my opinion, and if one day the club offers him the chance to be manager, I think it will be something natural and a consequence of his success in his managerial career."
Mourinho also stated that he will not be playing club captain Wayne Rooney in midfield.
"There are many jobs on the field. The most difficult to find is one to put the ball in the net," he said "It is normal that a player at his age will change a little bit. One thing that will never change is his natural appetite to put the ball in the net. Maybe he is not a striker, not a No 9 anymore. But with me he will never be a No 6, playing 50m from goal. Yes, his passing is amazing but mine is also amazing without pressure. Many players have a great pass, but to put the ball in the net is the most difficult. He will be a No 9, a No 10, a No 9.5 but never a No 6, not even a No 8."
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