Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho wants another winger but will not 'moan and cry' if none arrive

Jose Mourinho says he will not 'moan or cry' if Manchester United do not make a fourth new signing this summer.

United have spent £146million on Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof but Mourinho still wants a wide player.

He has been heavily linked with Real Madrid star Gareth Bale and £48m-rated Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic, as well as a number of full-backs, but United have been frustrated in their attempts ahead of the opening Premier League game of the season at home to West Ham on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho wants another winger to join Manchester United but will not 'cry and moan'

United are understood to be keen on signing Real Madrid star Gareth Bale (right)

United are understood to be keen on signing Real Madrid star Gareth Bale (right)

Mourinho said: 'I understand the reality of the market, of the numbers and that my club, by doing 75 per cent of what I initially asked, did very well.


'I don't think I am in a position of moaning, crying, contesting or to say I am not happy with it. I am happy with the effort the club did and that the club managed to do 75 per cent of the work before the Premier League starts.

'Until August 31, if the remaining 25 per cent doesn't arrive, I will not moan. I will just go with everything I have to try to win every match we play.

But they have been frustrated by their inability to snap up targets like Ivan Perisic

But they have been frustrated by their inability to snap up targets like Ivan Perisic

'My initial analysis from January and progressing through other months I was thinking of four players but I am not a difficult person to work with, even if looks different or you want to make it look so.

'Twenty-five per cent means one of four. We got a central defender who can play many other positions which is very important. Victor can play right-back and centre midfield.

'We have a central midfield and striker, so obviously another player would be one coming from the sides. But we have players and if we cannot strengthen then we have people we trust.'

Mourinho believes the loss of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young to injury means that United start the season in a 'similar situation' to the last one. But he insists that an ideal pre-season in America has left them in better shape to compete for the title.

The loss of the likes of Luke Shaw to injury means United are in a similar position to last season

The loss of the likes of Luke Shaw to injury means United are in a similar position to last season

He said: 'We added three players: one defender, one midfielder and one attacker. But for the beginning of the season, we lost some important ones too: Rojo, Young, Shaw, Zlatan, players with injuries.

'So between what we have lost and what we have got, we're in a similar situation. We have more experience of working together with a much better pre-season than last season with confidence levels of a team that won a European competition.

'We are back in the Champions League so the motivation and confidence levels are higher, and the knowledge between ourselves is higher.

'I'm really happy to start this season because the pre-season was very complete and organised. We played MLS teams (La Galaxy and Real Salt Lake) and ended against the best teams in Europe (Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City). I am really happy to start. I think we are ready.'

But a better pre-season means Mourinho ranks his side among the title hopefuls

But a better pre-season means Mourinho ranks his side among the title hopefuls

Mourinho believes that his players will be more motivated for the Champions League than the Europa League. Not playing on Thursday nights will also be a benefit as United look to improve their Premier League form after a disappointing sixth-place finish.

Asked if his team can win the title, he replied: 'Yes we can. The Europa League not the Champions League. Obviously that's more difficult, but also the motivation is higher.

'My hard work last season to face teams in the Europa League with commitment, responsibility was hard at that level. This season it will not hard to motivate versus Real Madrid, Barcelona, top English teams, Bayern Munich, Juventus.

'The Premier League is what you all know. I'd say seven teams to fight for the title and 20 to fight for the victory every game, every match. That's the difference from the three other leagues I have worked in. Every opponent wants to win every match. Every opponent gives you a hard time.'