Manchester United completed three signings during the summer transfer window as they lured Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant to the Old Trafford. However, manager Jose Mourinho was keen to lay his hands on a new central defender.
Mourinho serially criticized the board as his troops suffered a disastrous pre-season campaign, which generated negative vibes inside the club. The Red Devils were linked with Harry Maguire, Jerome Boateng and Toby Alderweireld, but nothing substantial took place.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes that the failure to land a new centre-back was owing to the unhealthy relationship that has emerged lately. Besides, Sutton also stated that the Portuguese is jealous of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “All the way throughout pre-season it’s been negative, negative, negative. Ed Woodward clearly doesn’t trust him [Mourinho] in the transfer market. And, do you know what, he’s been there a couple of years and he’s had time to mould the side.”
He further said: “It’s excuses, excuses, excuses from Jose. He looks over to City and Liverpool and sees that style of football and is jealous.” Intriguingly, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly excelled in the heart of Manchester United’s defence in their opening day 2-1 win over Leicester City.
To cater to his side’s central defensive needs, Mourinho also has Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling in his arsenal. In all fairness, signing a proven centre-back wasn’t a necessity for Mourinho. After a convincing win over the Foxes, the red half of Manchester is due to lock horns with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday at the AMEX Stadium.
