Jose Mourinho insists closing the gap on neighbours Manchester City comes down to how the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules are implemented. Rivals, Manchester City have been subject to recent speculation with regards to the rules.
Jose Mourinho Claims FFP Enforcement is the Answer to United Catching City
Talking at his press conference ahead of United’s home game against Fulham, The Red Devils boss was quizzed about how long it’ll be before they can seriously challenge for the title. In response, the 55-year-old was quick to bring up the spending power of other clubs. He went on to touch on the subject of FFP being enforced correctly.
“It depends on our evolution but also other’s evolution. If the ones above us keep going in same direction and if their ambition and investment is continuous, that’s one thing.
“Another thing is if they stop, or if the Financial Fair Play makes them stop and then we can close the gap a little bit better. The world is full of suggestions [that City could be banned from the Champions League] and I never know if they are true or not true, and that’s not my job to analyse that.”
United currently sit eighth in the Premier League, 18-points behind leaders Manchester City. Mourinho will know that this simply isn’t good enough for a club with the stature of Manchester United.
Spending Power
The January transfer window could yet prove pivotal to the ex-Real Madrid man’s future at Old Trafford. Defenders have been subject to the most speculation. Last Word On Football recently identified five such targets. Mourinho will have his own shortlist but any chance of investments rest with Chief Executive Ed Woodward. It is likely the club will want to sell players before spending on new reinforcements.
Mourinho has spent around £360 million during his two-and-a-half-years at Old Trafford. So far, a League Cup and Europa League title is what he has to show for it.
The Future
Speculation about the former Chelsea boss leaving in the near future was somewhat quashed by recent comments from his agent Jorge Mendes. Speaking through his agency Gestifute (via Sky Sports):
“Jose is very happy at the club and the club is very happy with him. He has a long-term contract with Manchester United and is fully committed to the club in building a solid winning project.”
Some United fans will not be pleased with this statement. The ‘JoseOut’ hashtag is repeatedly trending on Twitter on a regular basis. For now, though, fans will need to get behind their manager as they still have a realistic chance of silverware on at least two fronts.
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