Manchester United vs. Bournemouth: Jose Mourinho's Pre-Match Presser Comments

Jose Mourinho believes he has proved he is not a "monster" in his first year at Manchester United and confirmed that left-back Luke Shaw will be in the squad for their Premier League clash against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday. 

Englishman Shaw has been conspicuous by his absence from the United side in recent weeks, turning out just once since November, in January's 4-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

According to Mourinho, though, he will be involved against the Cherries, although playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan will still be absent, per Metro's Chris Winterburn and the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst:

The Portuguese manager added that he thinks his reputation at United has changed since he took over at Old Trafford last summer and chided the media for painting him in a bad light, per Luckhurst: 

"I think Manchester United learn I am not the monster that you say I am. I'm not such a bad guy, not such an arrogant guy, not a difficult person to work with, at least until now nobody at the training ground runs away when I arrive, not even Karen [Shotbolt, the press officer]."

United have the opportunity to go fourth in the Premier League standings, at least briefly, if they beat Bournemouth in Saturday's early game.

The Red Devils' last league defeat was way back in October. Meanwhile, the Cherries have lost five of their last six in the English top flight.

In form terms, Saturday's clash at Old Trafford should be a foregone conclusion. But United have had problems putting away so-called weaker teams at home this season, earning only draws against the likes of Hull City, West Ham United, Burnley and Stoke City.

Mourinho is aware of the threat Eddie Howe's side pose, per United:

Because of FA Cup commitments and last weekend's EFL Cup final triumph over Southampton, United have not been in Premier League action since Feb. 11.

Saturday begins a run of three very winnable league games for United that could see them break into the top four if they pick up nine points—after Bournemouth, they face Middlesbrough away and then West Bromwich Albion at home.

Mourinho will be confident of an emphatic victory over Bournemouth on Saturday as, given United's recent form, the struggling Cherries should cause them few problems.