Mourinho wanted to see more of Ed on tour

JOSE Mourinho has been left frustrated by a lack of face time with United executive vicechairman Ed Woodward in the transfer window.

Woodward attended United’s first and last pre-season matches in the US in Phoenix and Miami and was filmed hurriedly catching up with Mourinho in the Hard Rock Stadium tunnel after the win over Real Madrid last week.

The M.E.N. understands Mourinho had asked for a sitdown with Woodward during the tour but was informed the Reds chief was ‘busy’ as the club worked on signings ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Mourinho repeatedly expressed his frustration with United’s pre-season preparations during his press conferences in the States and expects United to clinch just one of their two remaining targets, amid interest in Toby Alderweireld.

Mourinho is also believed to have been mystified by suggestions he has United’s full backing in a window where the club has spent just £73.2m on three signings. Liverpool have recruited four new players at a cost of £176.7m and Mourinho commended Jurgen Klopp’s aggressive approach.

“I think if you have the money, if you invest well, is better than to have it in the bank, because the interests are very low,” Mourinho said in Los Angeles last month.

“The problem is you have to invest well and honestly I think they did very well because every player they bought are quality players and I’m happy for them.”

Tension has mounted between Mourinho and the United board over the club’s failure to clinch their priority signings early in a market that shuts on Thursday. Mourinho is keen to offload Anthony Martial but United are reluctant to cut their losses on the 22-year-old.