Jose Mourinho anticipating difficult season ahead for Manchester United
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho had admitted that the team could have a ‘difficult season’ ahead, should there be no further signings during the ongoing transfer window. United have recruited three players in the form of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant this summer but the Portuguese tactician remains frustrated with the restricted spending through the window.
Speaking after the Bayern Munich friendly, Mourinho highlighted that the teams around them are distinctly strong and the club may need to spend further in the coming days or expect a difficult season, he said: “Other clubs that compete with us are really strong, they have fantastic squads, Tottenham, Chelsea, City or they’re investing massively like Liverpool who are buying everything and everybody. If we don’t make our team better it’ll be a difficult season.”
United were expected to make multiple changes to the squad in order to close the gap on Manchester City next season but this has not quite happened this summer with the hierarchy working on a restricted budget. As a result, there has not been much improvement on the existing squad other than Fred, though the Brazilian himself has been recruited as a replacement for the retired Michael Carrick.
Mourinho’s side endured a pretty average season where their sole victory came against Real Madrid but the Portuguese will be hoping for a better showing when the Premier League season kicks off on Friday. Prior to that, United have four days to potentially bolster the squad and the central defensive department has been highlighted as the main point of focus.
United have been linked with potential moves for Harry Maguire and Yerry Mina in recent days but there are also suggestions that the club may seek reviving their interest in Toby Alderweireld. According to reports, the Mancunian giants are growing confident of pursuing the Tottenham Hotspur defender and a £60m fee could be sufficient to do business.