Jose Mourinho excuse on why Man United are struggling to compete will annoy plenty

Hard knock life.

José Mourinho has suggested that Financial Fair Play sanctions against big-spending clubs could be the only way for Manchester United to have a decent tilt at the Premier League. Since arriving at Old Trafford in 2016, Mourinho has been given almost £400m by the club to spend on players. Players he doesn't trust, refuses to use, and fails to improve through the medium of coaching. Manchester City, meanwhile, have spent north of £500m since Pep Guardiola's arrival, and have been accused of breaching FFP regulations amid a plethora of revelations from German newspaper Der Spiegel.  Almost half-way through the season, United currently sit 8th with a negative goal difference, while City top the table on 41 points with a positive goal difference of 38. While City have spend huge amounts on new players who fit the club, and the manager's vision, there is no comparison between the teams on the pitch. They are heading in opposite directions, which has led many United fans to call for Mourinho's head. But the Portuguese has suggested that FFP sanctions would help United close the gap, in his latest excuse of many. He did not mention City by name, but explained how Financial Fair Play could 'make them stop' [spending so much money].

“It depends on our evolution but also others’ evolution,” he said. “If the ones above us keep going in the same direction and if their ambition and investment is continuous, that’s one thing. “Another thing is if they stop, or if the Financial Fair Play makes them stop,” Mourinho added. “Then we can close the gap a little bit better.”

It doesn't take a genius to work out that while City may have spent more than United, there are plenty more factors at play in causing the chasm between the two clubs, the main one being Mourinho's leadership. The spending too much money excuse will rankle with many football supporters, too. After all, and to pick one example, United are currently paying Alexis Sanchez close to £400,000 a week for doing next to nothing. There will be little sympathy for Mourinho or United here, valid as his point is.