Mourinho reveals his greatest achievement at Manchester

Jose Mourinho has questioned the media’s perception of Manchester United’s achievements last season in comparison to their rivals.

The Red Devils finished second in the Premier League, 19 points behind Manchester City, while defeat in the FA Cup final left them trophyless.

Ahead of his third year at Old Trafford, pre-season has clearly been a frustrating time for Mourinho. United appear unlikely to make the signings he wanted while a perceived lack of respect for leading his side to second spot last term has got under his skin.

“My view is that first of all it is difficult for me to believe that we finished second when I listen, when I read – not much but sometimes I do,” the United boss said.

“It is difficult to believe that we finished second because you are capable of making people that finish second look like they were relegated, and people who win nothing, finish below us, and you make them look like serial winners.

“So it’s difficult for me to understand or to feel or to believe that we finished second, which I keep saying that I – and sometimes it’s also difficult to believe – that I won eight championships and three Premier Leagues.

“But I keep saying and thinking and feeling that the second last season was one of my biggest achievements in the game.”

Mourinho is not expecting anybody to join Manchester United before the transfer deadline.

Having signed Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant, the Portuguese hoped to bring in two more players but would have been satisfied with just one.

Mourinho had warned it would be a “difficult season” if United did not make any more acquisitions and it now looks like his side will miss out.

Asked if nothing would happen in or out before the Premier League deadline at 5pm, he said: “The information I have is no (nothing will happen).”

United had been hoping to sign a centre-back before the deadline but hope has faded in recent days.

“I am not confident,” Mourinho said.

“I am not confident, and the market closes today, so it’s time, at least for me, to stop thinking about the market because the market will be closed.”

Mourinho has revealed six injury absentees for Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Leicester on Friday night.

The United boss spoke with the media on Thursday morning – eight hours before the transfer window closes.

Mourinho is ‘not confident’ of any deadline day arrivals and the lack of new signings will compound issues surrounding his squad for the start of the Premier League season.

Sergio Romero, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Dalot, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic will all be unavailable for Friday’s opener against Leicester.

Mourinho also needs to check on the fitness of those that returned late from the World Cup.

“They returned on Monday,” he said. “They trained Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and today, so you can imagine they are not really fit and ready.

“But we have needs.

“The list that I gave you before of the injured players is an important list and today after training I will speak with that group of players (back from the World Cup because everybody is different, physically and mentally, to see how available they feel they.

“Because it is very important their feeling and to understand how they think they can help or not help.”

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