Manchester United are a massive 14 points behind leaders Manchester City and already only have realistic hopes of finishing in the top four.
Mourinho is expecting Woodward to provide the funds for a top centre-back in January.
The likes of Alderweireld Toby Alderweireld and Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar are said to be on the Special One’s radar.
Mourinho is desperate to add a ball-playing centre-back to his squad with the likes of Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof not up to the job at Old Trafford.
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho could have his transfer targets vetoed again (Image: GETTY)
Jose Mourinho: David De Gea wants to stay at Man United
Man Utd chief Ed Woodward has warned Jose Mourinho over January transfers (Image: GETTY)
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Woodward is said to prefer a move for Real Madrid star Raphael Varane but a January deal with Real Madrid is extremely unlikely.
Spurs would be prepared to negotiate a cut-price deal for Alderweireld in the transfer window.
That’s because a clause in his contract means he would be available for just £25.4m in January.
But Woodward could veto the move because the Belgian turns 30 next year and would be hesitant to hand him a long-term contract.