Mourinho is right to demand the finances to improve his squad

market on its head with the signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. So just five months after spending £135m on Ousmane Dembele, Barca have eclipsed that with the Coutinho deal – a transfer they originally hoped to complete last summer.

In that context, Mourinho’s claims that £286.2m isn’t enough to turn United into England’s best – let alone Europe’s – holds some weight. Again, this is not to say we should feel sorry for the Special One. But it is a measure of the problem facing him. And it’s a problem that isn’t going away.

Just as Barca went straight back in for Coutinho in the next available window, City have resumed their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez this month.

Those two cases should form the basis of Mourinho’s argument as he looks for more funds before the window closes.

He was forced to shelve plans for a move for Antoine Griezmann last summer when prioritising the recruitment of a No9 in Romelu Lukaku ahead of the Frenchman.

Midway through a season that is destined to become the fifth in succession that United have failed to mount a serious title challenge, Mourinho is building for next year already. Atletico Madrid’s transfer embargo was another key factor in the failure to land Griezmann – but with that lifted this month, and Diego Costa on board, now would be as good a time as any for United to renew their interest.

It would also be a significant statement of intent in the face of City’s procession to the title.

Guardiola is already building on that success with the intended recruitment of Sanchez, his pursuit in Brazilian Fred, and he wants a top class centre-back.

Mourinho wants to fight fire with fire – and while he is adamant he has been happy with the support from United’s hierarchy in his 18 months at Old Trafford, he has made it abundantly clear it is not enough. Griezmann would be the perfect start for him – if Barcelona don’t get to him first.