Mauricio Pochettino admits he will still consider offers for Toby Alderweireld but his focus remains ‘taking the best decision to give players game time ‘if they deserve’ it.
The Belgian was heavily linked with a move to United earlier this summer after Jose Mourinho prioritised signing a new centre-back. He gave Ed Woodward a list of alternatives to try sign, including Leicester City’s Harry Maguire, Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin.
Following the arrivals of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant, Mourinho wanted two more players but the club’s executive vice-chairman was unable to deliver, unfairly setting his most important employee up for failure.
Jose on @NemanjaMatic, @Anto_V25 and @Alexis_Sanchez: “There are decisions to be made, but they are training with the team. Dalot is also with the team this week, so in terms of the medical department, they are almost free.” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/BdQRMGKvBe
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 24, 2018
Despite already having five centre-backs on his books, Mourinho wanted another defender of high calibre to bolster his defence. A signing like Alderweireld would have brought a degree experience to the back while helping defenders already at the club to progress alongside a more senior figure.
“I am working like if all the players will still be here,” he told reporters when asked about the futures of Alderweireld, Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele.
“I cannot work thinking if they are going to be here tomorrow or not. Not only these names, different names. Can arrive an offer from a different club for number one, number 26, 27, 28 – players that we have.
“Maybe tomorrow or this afternoon arrive an offer, we will consider it. But you are focussed on different names but we are focused in trying and taking the best decision to provide them the opportunity to play if they deserve.”
Mourinho’s mood during today’s press conference wasn’t the best. He responded to most questions bluntly, but stated that he has “no problems” with Woodward, which we don’t believe…
He spoke to the press for four minutes and 19 seconds – much shorter than normal – and said he has not read reports of a falling out between the pair.
“I don’t know 10% of what is written,” Mourinho said.
“I’m not the right guy to answer.”
When asked if his relationship with Woodward was still fine, he added: “Of course. No problems.”
Again, we don’t buy that either.
“It’s always difficult after you lose a match, especially for people who really care about the job and about being football professionals,” says the boss. “But after that, you think about the next match.” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/j3qg9rGeXb
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 24, 2018