Jose Mourinho has let it be known this summer that he knows who he can and can not depend on. The fringe players and youngsters he took with him on Manchester United’s US tour are not part of his inner circle, as he explained after the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool.
“This is not my squad,” he proclaimed. “Half of my squad are missing and half of the players out there today will not be at the club after August 9.”
He has also made it clear that he can no longer trust Anthony Martial after the Frenchman left the camp to be at the birth of his son and failed to return immediately.
“He has the baby and after the baby is born – beautiful baby, full of health, thank god – he should be here and he is not here,” he declared.
And, above all, he has left us in no doubt that he and Ed Woodward are on different wavelengths when it comes to the transfer market.
“You ask me about players I would like to buy, to add to the squad,” he said. “I would like to have two more players. I think I am not going to have two.
“I think it is possible I am going to have one; that is possible. I gave a list to my club with five names a few months ago and I wait to see if it’s possible to have one of these players.”
Mourinho has never been one to keep all of his frustrations in but since arriving at Old Trafford two years ago he has never gone on such a concerted offensive as this summer, and certainly not when it comes to Woodward.
While many United fans have serious misgivings over the executive vice-chairperson and his primary motivations, Woodward has delivered the majority of what the manager has demanded over the last 24 months.
In their first summer working together, United bought all four players Mourinho had identified and, come 2017, only Ivan Perisic had escaped their grasp.
And while Mourinho did repeatedly point to having only been delivered 75 per cent of his wish list, he did express a calmness about the situation as last summer’s transfer window was coming to a close.
“I told Mr Woodward that obviously my plans were four, but I also told him ‘Be cool, no pressure from me, do what you think is best for the club.’”
But this summer has been one long onslaught on many different fronts, with Mourinho making it clear that he needs to be backed to the hilt if he is to be expected to meet his targets on the field.
First, he used his engagements with RT during the World Cup to question why the Perisic deal hadn’t got over the line. Then, he embarked upon his string of sulky tirades during the pre-season trip to America.
He has even gone to the extent of using Scott McTominay in a back three against Real Madrid to underline the shortage of senior centre-backs, as Woodward mulls over pursuits for Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire.
His public statements reflect a general belief around the club that Mourinho and Woodward’s relationship has frayed to a large extent.
While Woodward has agreed to go into battle for the players Mourinho has identified, his inability to strike a quick deal has been of concern.
Even should he now land one or both remaining targets, the seed has been planted in the manager’s head that his board are not willing or able to get him what he needs and when he needs it.
“The market ends on August 31, so there is plenty of time,” Mourinho said last summer, “but obviously, the objective for me as manager is always to have the players as soon as possible and try to coach them in the team and develop the team with them.”