Jose: We no longer rule transfer roost
JOSE MOURINHO claims Manchester United are struggling because they no longer rule the transfer market in England.
He said the club, seventh in the Premier League and 14 points off leaders Manchester City, have lost their unrivalled power to buy any player they want and are suffering as a result.
“Is Manchester United, by its history, by its dimension, bigger than Tottenham?” said Mourinho.
“But can you buy Tottenham’s best players? No, because they don’t sell. They are so powerful, they can say no.
“A few years ago, who was Tottenham’s best player? Carrick. And a few years later, who was the best player? Berbatov.
“Can we go there now and bring Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eriksen, Son? Can we go there and bring those players here? No.
“So who is more powerful now? Them or us?”
Mourinho has spent around £382.5m since taking over at United, while City rival Pep Guardiola has presided over an estimated £525m overhaul of his squad.
Imagine
Asked why United were unable to match City in terms of spending despite being the richest club in the world, with an estimated value of £3bn, Mourinho pointed at the way they have gone about their transfer business.
“I cannot say the answer, because one of the answers you had a few weeks ago,” said Mourinho, in a clear reference to the allegations City flouted Financial Fair Play regulations.
“But football has changed. It’s more difficult to buy players of a high, high, high level.”
Mourinho, whose side travel to Southampton today, admits his players have left him in a state of “confusion” over their slow starts to games.
“I feel that in some matches the way we start is not that intense, emotional, aggressive way where I would like the team to start,” he added.
“Other times, like against Young Boys, we had that start where I imagine what the game could be if after 10 minutes the score is 2-0.
“So sometimes I think it’s because of efficiency, other times it’s because of the way we approach the game and, honestly, it makes for me a little bit of confusion, because all the work is based on strong starts and being intense and aggressive from the beginning.”
Mourinho confirmed Alexis Sanchez will be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury picked up in training on Thursday. The Chilean has endured a miserable time since his arrival from Arsenal last January, but Mourinho said he does not believe the 29-year-old striker has been cursed.
“I don’t believe in curses,” said Mourinho. “But speaking about Alexis – a frustrating season.
“He scored a fantastically important goal against Newcastle and then, after that, he had the opportunity to play two good matches against Juventus and Bournemouth.
“I don’t like the word curse, but I have to admit it was probably a very unlucky six months. We expect the new year brings better things for him.”