Tetchy Jose hits out at the critics
MOURINHO: UNITED WERE THE CLOSEST TO MAN CITY
Red Devils start new campaign against Leicester tonight.
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 City. 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 last-minute signings when talking to media yesterday.
“I’m not confident, I’m not confident and the market closes tomorrow, so is time at least for me to stop thinking about the market because it 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, it was difficult for me to believe we finished second,” he said.
“When I listen, when I read, not much, but sometimes I do, it is difficult to believe 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.
“I won eight championships in Europe 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 tonight, 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.
“In football you need time to work and players on the pitch to work with and we didn’t have that until now.
“I was told that during pre-season it looked like I was saying something absolutely out of order, something crazy, Maybe tomorrow the reaction is the same: Pre-season is difficult when you don’t have your players to work with, it’s as simple as that.” – City still the benchmark
Champions City remain the team to beat after smashing a litany of records in romping to the title.
Unlike Pep Guardiola’s first two summers in charge, City haven’t blown the competition out of the water financially, although they have increased their attacking options with Riyad Mahrez for a club-record £60 million fee. Will Sarri be given time?
Chelsea are playing catch up from the off after delaying their move to sack Antonio Conte and hire Maurizio Sarri (above) until four weeks before the start of the season.
Sarri moulded Napoli into one of the most attractive sides to watch in Europe in three seasons, earning rave reviews from City boss Guardiola in particular.
However, his high pressing and slick passing style requires a lot of work on the training ground. With many of Chelsea’s key players only returning to training this week after their World Cup exertions, the Italian hasn’t been afforded much time to impose his ideas. New era for Arsenal
In contrast, Unai Emery (right) was swiftly sworn in as Arsene Wenger’s successor and has targeted building from the back as his first priority to get the Gunners back in top-four contention.
The recruitment of goalkeeper Bernd Leno, defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichtsteiner and midfielder Lucas Torreira should provide a stiffer backbone.
Emery has been handed a baptism of fire with City and Chelsea in his first two games in charge. No limits for newcomers
The ambition for most newly-promoted sides is simply to retain their Premier League status, but Wolves and Fulham’s moves in the transfer market suggest they are aiming for a top-half finish on their returns to the top flight.
Wolves have again utilised their close connections to super agent Jorge Mendes to snap up experienced Portuguese internationals Rui Patricio (above) and Joao Moutinho. –