Has Mourinho’s relationship with Ed Woodward really hit the boiling point?

Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward were caught on camera sharing an awkward handshake following Manchester United’s win over Real Madrid. The victory over the Champions League holders signalled the end of United’s tumultuous pre-season tour of the US, which has been overshadowed by the Portuguese’s demeanour.

Mourinho has heavily criticised the lack of recruitment at Old Trafford this summer, as well the state of the squad he took to across the Atlantic, essentially pointing the finger at Woodward for deals that have not been done.

However, the pair appeared to be able to set aside their differences in person during their brief encounter in the Hard Rock Stadium tunnel, as the manager and chief executive shook hands and appeared to hold a short conversation. The image, though, does not tally with the recent reports regarding their relationship.

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Mourinho launched into an incredible tirade following a 4-1 defeat by Liverpool in Michigan, lambasting the state of the squad he had at his disposal on tour, while bemoaning the lack of investment this summer.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, The 55-year-old said: ‘I would like to have two more players. 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.

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‘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.’

Not sparing a thought for the fringe players on tour, he added: ‘These people here came to enjoy the clubs they love in Europe. That is fantastic. But this is not our team, not our squad.

‘This is not even 30 per cent of my squad. The majority of the players that played are not going to play. Some of them are not even going to belong to the squad.

‘We are not playing here to improve the team or the dynamic. We are playing here to just survive and have some not very ugly results.’

United flew back to the UK in the small hours of Wednesday morning after their 2-1 victory over Real.

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First-half strikes from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera secured the victory, before Karim Benzema pulled a goal back for the Spanish side.

There have been reports that 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.

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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.

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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.

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