Jose is on a collision course with Manchester United chief Ed Woodward just five days before the start of the new Premier League season.
Mourinho was last night (Saturday) no nearer to getting the two new signings he wants before the transfer window closes on Thursday — 24 hours before United’s opening game at home to Leicester — and feels let down by Woodward’s lack of support on the club’s wretched tour of America. It has emerged that Mourinho’s awkward encounter with Woodward in the tunnel after United’s final game in Miami was their first meeting of any kind on the 17-day trip.
United’s executive vice-chairman also made a point of going into the dressing room at the Hard Rock Stadium to shake hands with all of the players, and did the same on the flight back to Manchester. ‘It was as if Ed realised that he had to do more, but it was too little too late,’ said a source last night.
‘Everyone could see that Jose was completely mystified by Ed’s absence. He’s never experienced that before with a chairman on tour.
‘Jose was miserable in the US but people began to see that he had a point.’
The strained relationship between the two key figures at Old Trafford is the worst-possible preparation for the new season as United look to close the gap on champions Manchester City and keep up with their other rivals.
Mourinho was upset that he had to lead such a high-profile tour with a threadbare squad and without the promise of new signings from Woodward, although he still hopes that will change before the transfer deadline.
He desperately needs a new centre-back but United are facing defeat in their efforts to prise Harry Maguire from Leicester and have yet to make a formal offer for Barcelona’s Yerry Mina.
Mourinho also wants to sell Anthony Martial to make room for another forward but is at odds with Woodward, who would prefer to keep the French winger.
United play their final pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena this evening.