Jose’s dark mood casts shadow over United season
LONDON: Jose Mourinho’s constant carping and foul mood during Manchester United’s increasingly tortuous tour of the United States is raising questions about team morale and title hopes just over a week away from the start of the new season.
The days when Mourinho used to poke fun at journalists with a twinkle in his eye during press conferences appear long gone, replaced by a litany of complaints as seen following the side’s 4-1 humbling by Liverpool on Saturday in their latest outing on the US tour. Bookmakers are now taking bets on Mourinho becoming the first Premier League manager to be sacked or leave his post this season.
Reports reaching home from the US tour depict players too nervous to talk openly about what they think, with the Daily Telegraph and The Sun claiming those in the squad feel they are “treading on eggshells”.
The Sun cites one case of an unnamed player in a panic asking the TV channel he gave an interview to erase an answer he gave them. However, Mourinho’s biggest cause for complaint — that he has not been given the money for the signings he wanted — has won some sympathy, even from the Manchester United board despite reportedly strained relations with Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman.
‘TRANSFER MARKET A DISADVANTAGE FOR PL’
MINNEAPOLIS : Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino feels Premier League clubs have a “complete disadvantage” in the transfer market due to the window shutting earlier in England.
Spurs and other top-flight sides will be unable to buy players after August 9 this year. “If you compare with Europe, I think you are in complete disadvantage and sure it does not help the clubs in the Premier League,” he said. “We are all in the same situation in England. It’s clear that today I don’t know if the rest of the teams are happy with that decision.”
PSG’S TUCHEL IGNORES KANTE SPECULATION
PARIS: Paris Saint-germain coach Thomas Tuchel declined to comment on links with Chelsea and France midfielder N’golo Kante.
PSG sensation Kylian Mbappe revealed he spent the World Cup encouraging Kante to join at PSG.
“It is not fair and I do not like, and I do not like it if other coaches talk about situations of players who are playing for other clubs,” Tuchel said. “So there is no comment on Kante, of course, not for the transfer window.”