Mour frustration for Jose
JOSE MOURINHO is set for more transfer frustration in January, as Manchester United currently look unlikely to sign anyone in the midseason window.
It is understood that the Portuguese has already been agitated by a failure to properly sit down with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward on targets, and that there is a general lack of communication on the issue.
That follows on from a summer where Mourinho made his ire at the club failing to sign a top centrehalf publicly known, although has been further complicated by a difficult season.
Although the Portuguese has steadied United’s campaign and his job is no longer under immediate threat, it is remains a distinct possibility that they could part ways at the end of the season.
Some in the United hierarchy are said to be mindful of that, as well as some of the signings Mourinho has already made. Fred has been cited as a purchase that reflects a wider problem.
Although Mourinho specifically wanted the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder – and got him for £52m (RM283m) ahead of Manchester City – the manager is said to be highly unimpressed with his performances so far, and the Brazilian has fallen badly down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
The United manager similarly remains uncertain over Victor Lindelof, and no longer trusts Eric Bailly, a defender he previously talked up as one of the potential best in the world and who was one of his first signings at the club.
As it stands, although Mourinho still wants another centrehalf – specifically Inter’s Milan Skriniar – United are not currently making a concerted effort to bring anyone in in January.
In related news, Paris Saint-Germain do not have any current interest in signing Alexis Sanchez, meaning the Chilean’s difficult spell at Manchester United is likely to continue for some time.
The striker has been reported as regretting his January move to Old Trafford, having turned down the chance to move to eventual 2017/18 champions Manchester City, amid a series of poor performances.
While Sanchez and his camp know any switch to the Etihad is off the table, they had explored the possibility of a deal with PSG, who had shown repeated interest in the forward over the past few years.
That opportunity looks to have now also passed the Chilean by, as the French champions now feel they have the complete attacking line-up in Edinson Cavani, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, and don’t feel it is worth moving for a player who is already 29 and has been struggling for form.
Since they and City are among a very small group of clubs who could match Sanchez’s near half-a-milliona-week wages, the expectation is he will remain at Old Trafford, as Mourinho continues to try to work out how to best use the player and get his form back.
Sanchez has made an inconsistent start to the new season, scoring just one Premier League goal in nine appearances for United.
He has scored just three Premier League goals since signing from Arsenal – as many as he managed in his last four games for the Gunners. – The Independent