By Samuel Opio
Jose Mourinho is set for a meeting in London with Ed Woodward where he plans to talk over Manchester United’s plans for the January transfer window. United have only managed five wins in all competitions this season but a spirited comeback victory over Newcastle slightly eased the pressure on Mourinho ahead of the international break.
Some reports suggested Mourinho would lose his job regardless of the result at Old Trafford but the Portuguese is expected to be in charge when United make the trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. According to reports, ‘angry’ Mourinho believes United have been pressing ahead to find his replacement, with Zinedine Zidane rumoured to be in the running for the job – despite the Frenchman calling Mourinho to convince him that there was no truth to the speculation.
It’s claimed Mourinho first intends to discuss his immediate future before looking ahead to find out how much funding he will receive to bring in reinforcements this winter. The 55-year-old made his frustrations known in the summer after United’s board refused to pay over the odds for a central defender. Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire, Jerome Boateng and Diego Godin were all linked with the Red Devils.
Zidane’s agent poured cold water on rumours that the ex-Real Madrid boss could replace Mourinho as manager. ‘I do not think that he will manage in England,’ Alain Migliaccio said when pressed on the speculation. ‘It is much less his style. I have discussed it with him, it does not really attract him. ‘He has chosen to have a year out, he will not dive in again before that is over.’
‘As a friend of mine was saying to me this morning, if tomorrow it rains in London it is my fault. If there are some difficulties with the agreements of Brexit, it is my fault. ‘I have to be ready for all of this. I think a lot of wickedness and clear man-hunting in football is too much. ‘It is my life. It is the life I love and since I was a kid I work for this.’
sopio@spyuganda.com
