Jose Mourinho is ‘increasingly concerned’ that Manchester United will add no more players to their squad ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
United have made three signings so far this summer, with midfielder Fred arriving alongside right-back Diogo Dalot and back-up goalkeeper Lee Grant.
Mourinho has made no secret of the fact he wants at least one more player however, and has stated that in an ideal world he would sign two more.
Most of the speculation has been regarding a centre-half, with Harry Maguire, Toby Alderweireld and Yerry Mina the latest players linked with a move to Old Trafford.
But The Times suggests United ‘are not close to signing any of their targets’ before Thurday’s 5pm cut-off point.
Leicester’s £65m valuation of Maguire is seen as prohibitive, while ‘there has been no recent contact’ with Tottenham over Toby Alderweireld, who would cost around £50m.
Jerome Boateng was also the subject of late interest, but Mourinho is ‘wary’ of his injury record at Bayern Munich. The German club want a permanent deal, while the United manager was only keen to sanction a temporary one.
The situation has ‘darkened the mood of Mourinho’, who has regularly warned executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward that he is not content with the players he has at his disposal.
Manchester United have to sign experienced players like Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal if they are to win trophies, forward Alexis Sanchez has said.
United are under pressure after five seasons without a league title and have only added Brazilian midfielder Fred, Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot and goalkeeper Lee Grant to their squad in the close season.
“At United we have to sign big players, with experience,” Sanchez said.
The Chilean international cited Spanish side Barcelona who signed Vidal from Bayern Munich in the close season.
“He is a great player and my team mate from Chile. He is an example of the type of players we need to sign to win trophies and compete at the highest level,” Sanchez said.
United begin their Premier League campaign against Leicester City on Friday.
Jose Mourinho could leave Manchester United if summer struggles in the transfer market lead to another season of boring football behind the title pace, says Paul Scholes.
The Portuguese faced criticism of his methods in 2017-18, with the Red Devils considered to have adopted a defensive mindset as they ended the campaign empty-handed.
A runner-up finish in the Premier League was secured, as was a place in the FA Cup final, but more is expected of a global heavyweight despite a tough pre-season.
Mourinho has had to work with a depleted squad on the back of the 2018 World Cup, while making only minor tweaks in his recruitment drive, with Scholes conceding that a proven performer now finds himself in “a difficult position”.
The Old Trafford legend said: “Do I think he will leave? I’ve absolutely no idea. He needs to get off to a good start this season, there’s no doubt about that.
“I think a lot will depend on how his team plays, you know. If his team don’t do well, if they’re not playing well, if they’re not entertaining people, they’re not challenging for the league, then he possibly could go.
“But he’s got great experience, he’s been at top clubs, he’s been in difficult positions before, he’s in a difficult position now I think, but he needs to try to find a way to get out of it.”