You don’t know the way to play, Jose
£54M UNITED TARGET KOVACIC PUT OFF BY MOURINHO TACTICS THE 2018-19 SEASON KICKS OFF TOMORROW!
MANCHESTER United are set to miss out on Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic because he does not want to play under Jose Mourinho.
The Croatia midfielder – rated at £54million – is keen to leave Madrid in search of regular firstteam football.
United have made an approach, but he is understood to have made it clear that he is “not interested” because he fears that the Reds’ style of play would not suit him.
It has left the way clear for the likes of Bayern Munich to move in
ahead of next week’s Premier League transfer deadline.
Kovacic joined Madrid from Inter Milan, two of Mourinho’s former clubs, but was not at either while the Portuguese was in charge. Kovacic returns to training shortly, following his role in Croatia’s run to the World Cup final.
It is the latest blow to the troubled Reds, with Mourinho’s tactics and man-management style in the spotlight.
Mourinho is currently at loggerheads with Anthony Martial. The French striker is facing a fine of two weeks’ wages after failing to return to pre-season training, having left United’s US tour early to attend the birth of his son, Swan.
Mourinho was unhappy Martial did not rejoin the squad, or at least return to United’s training complex to build up his fitness ahead of the new season.
But Martial has told the manager that his family will always come before United. However, the forward posted a message on social media indicting he will return to Manchester today.
He said: “Thank you for all your posts. My little Swan is fine, for the mom it was harder but thanks to God, she’s better now.
“Sorry but my family will always come first... back tomorrow in Manchester.”
United believe Martial – who wants to quit the Reds – has not trained for eight days since leaving the tour.
Mourinho would like to offload the 22-year-old for £70m, after coming to the conclusion he is simply not mentally strong enough.
But United are struggling to sign a replacement before the Premier League transfer window closes on August 9, with Inter Milan and Croatia star Ivan Perisic having emerged as Mourinho’s top target.