Erik ten Hag or Mauricio Pochettino can benefit from what Jose Mourinho warned Manchester United about

Jose Mourinho wasn't happy with his Manchester United squad in the summer of 2018 and his relationship with Ed Woodward grew increasingly strained. Mourinho had warned United were in danger of further falling behind their Premier League rivals.

United travelled to the United States for their pre-season tour and the tension was palpable for the media that had travelled across the Atlantic to report on the fixtures. Mourinho was far from content with life at United and he wanted that to be known. United signed Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant that summer and Mourinho's defensive wishlist had been disregarded by Woodward.

With just under three weeks remaining before the window was closed, Mourinho admitted to reporters: "Of course I'm not happy," when asked if he was pleased with the strength of his squad. United didn't sign another player for the remainder of the window and Mourinho knew what that meant for his time at Old Trafford. That's why he pushed so hard for new defensive signings.

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Mourinho's destiny had been sealed by Woodward's stubbornness and he was sacked just 131 days after the summer transfer window closed. He remains the last manager to win a trophy at United four years later and not listening to Mourinho's demands that summer - to strengthen United's defence - must be high in Woodward's catalogue of regrets during his time as executive vice-chairman.

That's quite the statement considering the wide range of calamitous decisions that Woodward committed during his 16-years spent at the club. Woodward left that position in February this year and lessons can still be learnt from his relationship with Mourinho.

Woodward didn't