Jose Mourinho says Manchester United’s problems down to players

Jose Mourinho, former Manchester United’s manager has said the problems with the club are down to “the players, organisation and ambition”.

He also denied Paul Pogba was responsible for his dismissal.

Mourinho was sacked as United manager in December 2018 after overseeing the club’s worst start to a campaign in 28 years.

Fractures in his relationship with Pogba emerged in September, with the France World Cup winner stripped of the vice-captaincy before an animated disagreement between the pair at the club’s training ground, Sky Sports reports.

But when asked if he was a victim of Pogba, Mourinho told French newspaper L’Equipe: “No, no. The problems are there, you can imagine that the problems are the players, the organisation and the ambition.

“I will only say that I cannot say ‘yes’ when you ask if Paul was the only one responsible.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed as Mourinho’s successor on a three-year deal in March after winning 14 of his 19 matches as interim manager, helping to propel United back into the race for a top-four finish.

But a dismal run towards the end of the campaign eventually saw United drop out of contention and finish in sixth, five points off fourth-place Tottenham.

Mourinho had wanted to sign at least one new centre-back last summer, with Harry Maguire, Jerome Boateng, Toby Alderweireld and Diego Godin among his targets.

But United did not sign a new centre-back, with Mourinho made to settle for midfielder Fred, defender Diogo Dalot and back-up goalkeeper Lee Grant as his summer recruitment.