Jose Mourinho thanks Louis van Gaal for Manchester United’s Community Shield win over Leicester

JOSE MOURINHO took the extraordinary step of thanking Louis van Gaal for Manchester United's Community Shield win over Leicester.

The new Manchester United boss savaged his predecessor for his boring style of play.

But a winner from Zlatan Ibrahimovic after Jamie Vardy had cancelled out Jesse Lingard's opener gave Mourinho his first piece of United silverware.

And he went to great lengths to single out the Dutchman for praise immediately after the Wembley win.

Mourinho said: "I have to thank Mr van Gaal because without the victory in the FA Cup we wouldn’t be here today so I am getting a trophy for the club and the boys and the fans and myself but I’m playing this match not because I won the FA Cup, I play this match because Mr van Gaal won the FA Cup so congratulations to him because he’s part of this.

"I dedicate this win to eight people - seven of my players that weren't selected - they worked hard to be here but I had to make changes.

"And for the person that allows me to be here today - Louis van Gaal.

"He won the FA Cup and without him I wouldn't be here."

Mourinho had said it "would be easier to have 20 new players and start from zero" than try to break down the techniques employed by LVG.

And the Special One could not resist another little dig at the ex-Old Trafford chief.

He added: "The profile of this team before was more possession, even arriving in crossing positions, they play back again and play to the other side.

"We are trying to change that and the second goal shows that."

Ibrahimovic headed in Antonio Valencia's 83rd-minute cross.