“I’m astonished that five of these players are still with the club at this point. I aimed to sell them, but the club declined and dismissed me instead. Many Manchester United players have faced unemployment due to these individuals. They are detrimental to the club.” – Jose Mourinho highlights five Manchester United players he opposed six years ago who are still with the club now.

Throughout his tenure, Mourinho encountered notable conflicts with players and frequently voiced frustration over then-chief executive Ed Woodward’s lack of support in the transfer market, despite successfully securing the club’s record signing of Paul Pogba for £89 million.

However, the failure to secure Virgil van Dijk, who opted for Liverpool instead, proved to be a significant setback. Instead, Victor Lindelof was brought in from Benfica for £30 million, alongside the retention of players like Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay, and Marcus Rashford, who remained at the club following Mourinho’s departure.

In an interview with the Telegraph, Mourinho hinted at his dissatisfaction with the retention of certain players, suggesting that their presence has contributed to the club’s current struggles, indicating a regression since his departure. “There are still a couple of players there I didn’t want five or six years ago,” he remarked. “I believe they possess qualities that aren’t conducive to a club of this stature. However, I fulfilled my obligations there. Time always reveals the truth. I would love to see Manchester United prosper.”

Mourinho, currently without a managerial position after departing Roma earlier in the season, also criticized Woodward, implying that Erik ten Hag benefited from a more supportive structure than he experienced at United. “My personal relationship with Ed Woodward was positive. However, professionally, it was lacking. I am deeply passionate about football, but Ed comes from a different background. Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United was different from mine. I didn’t have that level of support or trust, so I left with regret, feeling that I was only at the beginning of a journey.”

While Mourinho did guide United to a second-place finish in his second season, an achievement he once regarded as among his finest in football, the club’s current position, seventh in the league, stands in stark contrast to those heights.

Although he has not ruled out a return to management, Mourinho remains cryptic about his future plans. Some Chelsea fans have even expressed support for his potential return to Stamford Bridge, expressing dissatisfaction with current manager Mauricio Pochettino.