JOSE DODGES MEDIA GRILLING

Surly Mourinho feeling the heat as he dodges Old Trafford grilling

One Mourinho is known to be frustrated at Woodward’s failure in the transfer market this summer, believing it has undermined United’s chances of success.

United only signed three players – Fred, Diogo Dalot and back-up keeper Lee Grant – and failed to recruit a central defender, a position Mourinho had made a priority.

A 3-2 defeat at Brighton exposed United’s defensive frailties, although the manager claimed he was not at odds with Woodward over the executive’s failure to recruit a new centre-back before the transfer window closed.

Asked if his relationship with Woodward (above) was fine, Mourinho said: “Of course.”

And he claimed he had taken no notice of the backlash and talk about his position following the Brighton loss, despite his sulky demeanour when quizzed.

“Don’t ask me, because I don’t read,” said Mourinho. “I don’t know 10 per cent of what is written, of what is coming on TV screens, so I’m not the right guy to answer it.” Asked if he felt there had been an overreaction to the defeat, the United boss said: “You are pessimistic – I’m not.” Asked about Paul Pogba (left) admitting his attitude was not right for the Seagulls match, Mourinho added: “Paul said it, he has to answer by his words. “If you want any explanation about Paul’s words, you must get him and ask him.”

JOSE MOURINHO is feeling the strain of the growing crisis engulfing him at Old Trafford.

He is under increasing pressure ahead of Manchester United’s mustwin game at home to Tottenham on Monday and showed he is feeling the heat. Moody Mourinho (left) began his media duties half an hour ahead of schedule in a bid to wrong-foot his inquisitors and then refused to answer a raft of questions. The Red Devils boss was terse and truculent throughout the briefing, his demeanour only adding to the sense of turmoil at the club. He denied there were any problems between him and United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, despite the latter failing to deliver all the manager’s transfer targets. Self-titled Special