Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has assessed the club’s work in the transfer market so far this summer, and insists only a midfielder is now missing.
The Portuguese tactician has been active so far this summer, bringing in Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as he addressed specific positions and roles in the squad that he believed needed strengthening.
It appears as though only a midfielder is now missing from his puzzle, with United in a widely public pursuit of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
Provided that they are able to land their preferred target, the 53-year-old will seemingly be content with their work ahead of his first campaign in charge at Old Trafford.
“I said at the first press conference at Old Trafford, our market has a fundamental part. And that fundamental part is four players: one central defender, one midfielder, one striker, and one creative player,” Mourinho told reporters, as noted by ESPN FC.
“And when we finish that fundamental market we are balanced. Maybe today you don’t feel it but no [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, no [Marouane] Fellaini, no [Anthony] Martial, no [Morgan] Schneiderlin. So lots of them who are not here yet.
“Then, the market will be open until the 31st of August, and sometimes things happen that you are not expecting, and we have to react. But our fundamental market is 75 percent done. And when we sign one midfield player that crucial work will be done.”
Despite their 4-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in their opening game of the International Champions Cup, Mourinho is remaining calm and is confident that United are on track.
Having emphasised the point that the Bundesliga outfit are far ahead in their pre-season preparations, it was only natural that his side struggled to keep up with the intensity and pace of the game.
Nevertheless, he will hope to continue to see players return from their extended breaks after international duty and pick up more positive signs through the rest of the pre-season schedule to ensure that confidence is high within the United camp and the players are fit and firing to make a quick start to the Premier League campaign.