Jose Mourinho’s relationship with Manchester United is frayed. The manager and the club’s executive vice chairman are at a standoff in the transfer market. In the last few weeks, Mourinho has sounded off against his players and Manchester United’s transfer strategy. It has led many to believe Mourinho will leave the club this season.
Jose Mourinho relationship with Manchester United frayed
Mourinho isn’t just having issues with the club’s hierarchy. The manager is also having a war with some of his players. Antonio Valencia, Anthony Martial, and Ashley Young are three players who felt Mourinho’s rage recently.
Mourinho recently stated he cannot trust Martial in matches. This came just after Mourinho complained the Frenchman didn’t return to the team for preseason after the birth of his child.
“He has the baby and after the baby is born – beautiful baby, full of health, thank god – he should be here and he is not here,” Mourinho lamented.
In Young’s case, Mourinho has begged the left-back to return from holiday ahead of schedule to be ready for the club’s opening Premier League fixture.
Mourinho recently stated that the five transfer targets he shortlisted for this summer haven’t been contacted by the club.
ESPN FC pundit Steve Nicol believes Manchester United are having difficulty luring players to Old Trafford. Nicol believes Mourinho has made Old Trafford into a no-go zone for many players. The manager’s tactics and personality are keeping top players from signing.
While Mourinho has complained about the club and its transfer strategy, there has been no word about former head of recruitment Javier Ribalta leaving the club. Ribalta left for Zenit St. Petersburg after some stated the Spaniard had been undermined in his role at the club. Ribalta helped Manchester United sign Fred and Diogo Dalot this summer. However, if Mourinho is to be believed, none of his transfer targets have been approached. In addition, Mourinho’s comments point to both players not being his transfer targets.
The Premier League buying transfer window closes on August 9. Manchester United have just a few more days to appease Mourinho.
Currently, leading sportsbooks have Mourinho listed as the second most likely Premier League manager to be sacked. According to ESPN FC early in the week, Mourinho was No. 1 to be sacked first. However, the Daily Star now reports Watford’s Javi Gracia is top man to lose his job first.