Paddy McNair says he almost thought text message from Jose Mourinho was a prank ahead of Euro 2016

Reaching out to his players: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paddy McNair admitted he would have suspected a text from new boss Jose Mourinho was a wind-up, had it not been for a pre-warning from Manchester United officials.
The Northern Irishman received a good-luck message from the Special One ahead of his opening Euro 2016 fixture will Poland on Sunday.
Mourinho, who was appointed as Louis van Gaal’s successor last month, sent his best wishes to all of United’s players involved in the tournament in France.
United defender was grateful to have been told of Mourinho’s intentions in advance, joking he might otherwise have suspected it had been a prank from one of his pals.
McNair said: “He sent me a text message

“I did reply saying I was looking forward to playing in the tournament and to working under him.
“Luckily, the club had sent all the players an email beforehand telling us he was going to text us.
“I know plenty of people back in Ballyclare who would have thought nothing of winding me up; then Jose might have got a reply he wasn’t expecting.”
Mourinho will be hoping to live up to standards set by former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson during his reign in Manchester.
And McNair revealed Ferguson, who is expected to attend the the Northern Ireland match, has also wished him well at the Euros.

He added: “It was a chance meeting in a lift after the FA Cup final .
“Sir Alex was standing there with his wife. He wished me good luck for the tournament and said he’d be there watching.
“Hopefully he will have a Northern Ireland scarf around his neck. I’m not sure the other players know he is coming.
“He has been to a few Doncaster games to watch Luke McCullough. He watches lots of games. He could be at England’s game on Saturday.
“It’s nice of him to come and support me.”