United find themselves in tricky situation

With Mourinho not sounding confident, Red Devils will have their task cut out in the season opener

LONDON: Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at Manchester United’s detractors a day ahead of his side’s Premier League opener at home to Leicester.

United’s boss, about to begin his third season at the helm at Old Trafford, has cut a disgruntled figure during the summer, apparently unhappy with the club’s transfer window activity.

Mourinho sounded pessimistic that he would make any lastminute signings when talking to media on Thursday.

“I’m not confident, I’m not confident and the market closes today, so is time at least for me to stop thinking about the market because the market will be closed,” Mourinho said.

“I will have to focus on the players I have and in relation to this first couple of matches.”

But he was quick to point out his United side were closest to runaway leaders Manchester City last season, even if they finished 19 points adrift.

“My view is that, first of all, is difficult for me to believe we finished second,” he said.

“When I listen, when I read, not much but sometimes I do, 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.

“Is difficult for me to understand, to feel, to believe we finish second. I won eight championships and three Premier Leagues but I keep feeling the second last season was one of my biggest achievements in the game.”

Mourinho, who will be without the likes of Nemanja Matic, Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo on Friday, once again bemoaned the lack of preparation time for the start of the season, with many of his players having just returned to training after taking time off following the World Cup.

“The target is Leicester

match and the tactics to be changed in Championship Manager you can just press a button,” he said.

“In football you need time to work and players on the pitch to work and we didn’t have until now.

“I told that during pre-season it looked like I was saying something absolutely out of order, something crazy, I repeat and maybe tomorrow the reaction is the same: Pre-season difficult when you don’t have your players to work, as simple as that.”

For the first time the Premier League deadline has been moved forward to the day before the season kicks off when United host Leicester City tomorrow.

Unlike in England, the window for the rest of Europe’s leading leagues doesn’t close until later in August, meaning Premier League clubs have faced even more inflated prices when buying from the continent.

Mourinho in particular frustrated at missing out on a host of targets to bolster his options in central defence.

Harry Maguire, who could face United for Leicester on Friday, Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng and Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham were all linked with United, while Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin emerged as a late target on Thursday. But Mourinho now says he is focusing on the players already at his disposal.

Mourinho has been further irked by seeing rivals Liverpool steal a march on United to emerge as the second favourites for the title behind Man City thanks to a more than £170 million splurge on new signings.

However, Liverpool did their business early and were not busy on deadline day.