Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho set to clash with Old Trafford board over transfers

Posted Thursday, March 15, 2018 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho set to clash with Old Trafford board over transfers
Jose Mourinho is demanding another summer transfer spree

JOSE MOURINHO is set for a summer of tension with Manchester United's hierarchy over his demands for more player investment.

Man United's American owners, the Glazer family, have backed Mourinho to the tune of nearly £300million since he took over at Old Trafford 21 months ago.

But following United's shock Champions League exit to Sevilla, Mourinho suggested he needs to spend even more to re-establish the club as a European force.

There is some concern and dismay among senior figures at Old Trafford that some of Mourinho's signings such as Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba and Victor Lindelof have not yet had the anticipated impact, while some of the young players he inherited such as Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are not improving quickly enough under his command.

Across Manchester, Pep Guardiola has coached Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho, Leroy Sane and Nicolas Otamendi to a new level, while giving a new lease of life to 'old guard' trio Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.

The growing unease among the fans that Mourinho's pragmatic style betrays the club's attacking heritage will also concern the Old Trafford board, especially looking at the style and panache with which City have run away with the Premier League title this season.

Last summer Mourinho wanted Ivan Perisic but United would not meet Inter Milan's asking price.

This summer he is expected to target Shakthar Donetsk midfielder Fred, Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld and Juventus left-back Sandro but it remains to be seen how far United will be prepared to back him.

Mourinho recently extended his contract until 2020 but if there is any rift between him and the United board over transfer strategy, Paris Saint-Germain – who he praised earlier in the season – are waiting in the wings.

Asked what had to change the United manager said: "Everything. Everything has to change. Everybody spends money, right? Not just us. It's a natural process, every team invests."

Mourinho came under fire from fans and ex-players such as Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes for his team selection and tactics following the defeat by Sevilla.

Marouane Fellaini, who had not started a game for four months, was preferred to record signing Pogba and in-form Scott McTominay in midfield, while Jesse Lingard came in for Juan Mata and Rashford was switched to the right flank after a two-goal display from the left against Liverpool.

Nemanja Matic pulled no punches about United's tame performance. "There is no excuse. We came into the game with high confidence but they played better than us and deserved to go through."

Ashley Young says they must use the defeat as a catalyst for victory in Saturday's quarter-final clash with Brighton in the FA Cup – their last chance of silverware this season.

He said: "There's a lot of disappointment but you have to dust yourselves down and take the disappointment into the weekend.

"We've got another cup competition to play for and we want to get ourselves back to winning ways and into the next round."