Mourinho and Woodward want different things says journalist
That is the view of former England captain Terry Butcher who thinks any club happy with their direction would be deep into discussions over transfers for next month’s window.
Mourinho has been battling to save his job ever since a disastrous summer window left him short of quality options in defence.
The Manchester United boss was desperate to land a centre back and a right winger as he looked to mount a title challenge after finishing second last season.
But he was unable to convince Ed Woodward to shell out the big bucks needed to bring in the likes of Harry Maguire or Toby Alderweireld.
United have been linked with moves in January and could even have a £100m kitty ready to bring new talent in.
But whether or not Mourinho will be the man given the freedom to spend it is another question after a poor start to the campaign.
Butcher reckons Mourinho WILL be in charge beyond the winter and thinks he’s the right man to steer the ship back towards the Champions League positions.
But he also believes any manager who isn’t being included in transfer discussions even at this stage will know he’s in trouble.
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho could be sacked by Ed Woodward (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd news: Terry Butcher thinks United will stick with Jose Mourinho (Image: GETTY)
Terry Butcher took part in the IRN-BRU Cup Semi-Final draw at Hampden Park (Image: IRN BRU)
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Woodward is the man in control at United and the man Mourinho needs to charm if he wants his way.
But results in general have been poor and the pressure is on to get into the top four by the end of December,
“There may have been a time in the past few weeks when people looked at it and thought they might jettison him then, but they haven’t and I think they’ll stick with him,” Butcher told Express Sport.
“There’s enough ability in that team to finish in the top four, there’s enough class there and they can look at the situation in the summer but I think to move on now would be quite dramatic, and who would they get in? It would cost them a lot of money to move on the staff and to get new staff in, do they need that upheaval at this stage of the season? No, I don’t think they do.
Jose Mourinho: David De Gea wants to stay at Man United
“I think they’ll carry on to the summer and then we’ll see after that. You’ve got the January transfer window coming up so they may be looking at something in that.
“They’re already working on that I’m sure they’ve already got targets and talking to people, any good club would have done that already.
“And you do that with the manager in situ. If you don’t do that and don’t do anything then that manager will know he’s got a problem.
“Otherwise they would have taken action now, but I think the work’s been done and I think they’ll certainly keep him until after the January window and then we’ll see after that but I think United have shown in the past that they can be patient and they’ll give managers time.
“Jose’s got a terrific record, I know he blows hot and cold in press conferences, but players still want to play for him and players want to do well for the club.”