Jose Mourinho has revealed his frustration with Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward over Manchester United’s lack of new signings this summer.
Mourinho confirmed that he wants two new players before the transfer window closes on August 9, but admits that he only expects to get one at best.
In a clear dig at Woodward and the United board, Mourinho claimed that he submitted five names for one position at the end of last season but is still waiting to get his man.
United are understood to be chasing a centre-back, with Spurs Toby Alderweireld and Leicester’s Harry Maguire top of their list, and a right sided forward.
‘I would like to have two more players,’ said Mourinho. ‘I think I am not going to have two. I think it’s possible I am going to have one. It’s possible.
‘And that one I gave a list to my club five names a few months ago, and I wait to see if it’s possible to have one of these players.
If it’s possible it’s possible. If it is possible good, if it is not possible we keep fighting and working and believing in the players that we have.’
Mourinho has been told that he must sell before he can buy, and is hoping to offload Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and either Chris Smalling or Phil Jones.
But time is against the United manager with less than two weeks to go before the window closes and his team play Leicester in the first match of the season.
It is easy to understand Mourinho’s frustration. Anyone who has watched United play over the last season has clearly seen the need for an experienced center-back, two full-backs, a midfielder and a right sided attacker. For Woodward to only bring in one of those players (Fred in midfield) shows a lack of ambition by the United current executive vice-chairman.
