Jose Mourinho will seek control over Manchester United’s transfer strategy as part of any deal to become the club’s next manager.
The 53-year-old was this morning in talks with senior United officials alongside his representative Jorge Mendes, with both sides confident of agreeing a deal to replace Louis van Gaal, who was sacked yesterday.
Standard Sport understands one of the negotiating points focuses on the decision-making process behind player recruitment. It is believed that major transfer decisions are currently referred to America for consultation with the Glazer family, which has previously brought about delays in United’s attempts to sign players.
Mourinho is thought to have sought assurances that he will have a major influence on signings and that although the club’s owners will continue to have the power of veto on any deal, they will back his judgment in the same way they did with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Mourinho was a firm admirer of Ferguson throughout his management career for many reasons, not least the power he exerted in so many areas at Old Trafford. Ferguson is believed to have acquiesced to the Glazer family’s takeover in 2005 on the understanding that he would retain complete control over the composition of his squad, but that autonomy eroded under David Moyes and then Van Gaal.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been criticised for allowing transfer targets to slip from United’s grasp but he is not allowed to operate with the same freedom his predecessor David Gill could.
Mourinho is excited by the prospect of working in some capacity with Ferguson, who remains a club ambassador at United, and believes the Scot’s presence will enhance his argument that the manager must retain control of incomings and outgoings.
There is even a possibility Mourinho could ask United to bring in a sporting director, with Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta identified as a candidate.
United backed Van Gaal with more than £250million and they are expected to hand Mourinho a similar war chest. It is believed a deal for Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic is unlikely, but Everton centre-back John Stones, Zenit St Petersburg defender Ezequiel Garay and out-of-contract striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic are likely targets.
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