Jose sends out an SOS
of time with the window closing on Thursday.
He said: “My CEO [Ed Woodward] knows what I want for quite a long time. I know that he tries the best for me. If we don’t make our team better it will be a difficult season for us.”
Despite Mourinho’s negativity, defender Chris Smalling urged United to put down a marker for the season by hitting the ground running against the Foxes. Smalling, who is entering his ninth season with the club, has been linked with a move away if United sign a new centre-half but says he hopes to extend his stay at Old Trafford. “Why not let us set the tone for the season and hopefully just get that win and set a marker?” he said. “I just try to do my best and try to be a part of the team.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho has allowed Axel Tuanzebe to rejoin Aston Villa on another loan deal after spending last season at Villa Park.
Tuanzebe becomes the fifth United player to leave on loan this summer, following goalkeepers Joel Pereira (Vitoria Setubal) and Dean Henderson (Sheffield United), defender Cameron BorthwickJackson (Scunthorpe United) and midfielder Matty Willock (St Mirren).