It’s going to be a very difficult transfer market for Manchester United to accomplish their goals says manager Jose Mourinho. That goal of course is closing the gap on their cross-towns rivals Manchester City at the top of the table. City finished with a very eye-popping 100 points from 114 possible, and although United finished runners-up, they were still a whopping 19 points behind.
In order to traverse a wide chasm such as this, it’s going to take a whole lot of squad makeover, as Mourinho said as much today.
“The difference of points tell a lot,” the Portugese said.
“I always think that in the championships the truth is always there. In knockout competitions sometimes, in a lucky or unlucky moment, the truth is not always there.
“Over 38 games the reality is the numbers. And the reality of the numbers is between second and fifth, the difference is three, four or five points. The difference between the first and the second is a difference of 19 points. That’s the reality of the numbers.
“Can we close that gap in one season with a very difficult market, an absolutely difficult market? We are going to try.”
The second place finish is United’s highest league position since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, going out on top as a league title winner. The Red Devils’ 81 points is their highest total accumulation for a season since claiming that most recent league title, when they earned 89 points.
This could be a very interesting and intriguing summer transfer window at United, as Mourinho has already indicated on several occasions that a clear out could be coming. Forward Anthony Martial could be among those in the exodus. They’ll also be in the market for a midfielder as Michael Carrick has retired, and will join the coaching staff next season.
Marouane Fellaini also seems likely to leave. As for the transfer market itself, well, you know it’s only going to get crazier, with prices for players destined to only getting more and more outrageous this summer.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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