Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward’s relationship has hit an all-time low after a major row concerning summer transfers, reports claim. The Manchester United manager has made no secret of his fury at the club’s inability to add substantially to the playing squad this summer, although he has spent £70million so far. United’s executive vice-chairman Woodward has refused to spend excessively this summer and Mourinho has been told he must sell before he can buy after bringing in Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant. Mourinho is anxious to strengthen his first team squad, which is severely depleted during pre-season. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager is without 17 first team players, nine of whom are injured while eight, including the likes of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, are on extended breaks following their efforts at the World Cup.
Though the returning party will ease Mourinho’s concerns somewhat, with United failing to win a game in pre-season, he still believes that new recruits are needed to provide a sterner challenge to Manchester City in the Premier League. With Liverpool spending particularly big, Mourinho has not bothered to hide his frustration at the lack of funds made available to him. He piled the pressure on Woodward during a heated press conference following a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s side. ‘I would like to have two more players,’ he snarled. ‘I think I am not going to get two. I think that it’s possible I will have one.
‘And that one, I gave a list to my club of 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’s not, it’s not. If it’s possible, it’s good. If not then we keep fighting and working and believing in the players we have.’ Woodward does not agree with Mourinho’s assessment that major recruitment is needed and is putting a halt to any major spending until fringe players are offloaded. And his stance has infuriated Mourinho, according to the sources.
The 55-year-old branded United’s pre-season tour as a waste of time and hit out at the options available to him. ‘This is not my squad, not even 30 per cent my squad,’ he added. ‘Half these players won’t be here on August 9.’ His comments have not been well received among members of United’s squad and he is walking a thin line to avoid alienating those on the tour. But it is Woodward who has enraged Mourinho most and their relationship is on the verge of breaking down completely.
Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian is a step closer to leaving Old Trafford after Napoli confirmed they have submitted a bid for the Italy international. The 28-year-old wants to leave the FA Cup runners-up after playing a bit-part under Jose Mourinho. He made just 17 appearances in all competitions last term and has fallen behind Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Luke Shaw in the pecking order.
Darmian has played a full role for United in pre-season, even starting the 4-1 friendly loss to Liverpool despite stating his intention to leave, but his misery looks set to come to an end. Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis says an offer has been lodged but that the club do have other options. ‘It’s true that we asked for Darmian on loan with a right to buy,’ he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.