Manchester United boss Mourinho retains the backing of the Glazer family despite Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City exposing their shortcomings. The Red Devils are, simply, not on the same level as their fierce rivals and look set to miss out on the Premier League title for the sixth year in a row.
Mourinho wanted Manchester United to sign a centre-back in the summer because he believed it was an area in sore need of strengthening.
The club themselves, however, had different ideas.
A bid for Harry Maguire was swiftly rejected by Leicester and the England international has since gone on to sign a contract extension at the King Power Stadium.
United tentatively inquired about Toby Alderweireld – only for Tottenham to turn them down – while Diego Godin and Jerome Boateng stayed at Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively.
Yerry Mina, another player on their radar, ended up leaving Barcelona for Everton.
And United’s shortcomings at the back have been exposed in the time since.
On Sunday, it was all too easy for City as goals from David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan gave them all three points.
Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof, once again, looked shaky.
Jose Mourinho still wants United to sign a defender when the transfer window reopens in under two months’ time.
But the Manchester Evening News say the Glazers are not keen on the idea.
It is claimed they would be reluctant to let Mourinho sign a centre-back because of the players he already has at his disposal.
As well as Smalling and Lindelof, Mourinho has defenders Marcos Rojo, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones to call upon.
But the trio are currently out in the cold, seemingly unfancied by their manager.
The Glazers’ decision not to give Mourinho what he wants could lead to more turmoil at Old Trafford.
But whether results worsen, and consequently force their hand, remains to be seen.