MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho says he is happy with the financial backing of the Manchester United board but fears it will be difficult for his club to challenge rivals Manchester City given their massive spending power. Mourinho had claimed on Tuesday the near-£300 million (US$405 million) he has spent in 18 months at Old Trafford is not enough to compete with their neighbours, who have spent over £75 million more than United in that time. Do you think the club can put here now £600m and let’s buy six players of £100m, the club can’t do that,” he said. “You do what you want.”Further afield, Mourinho also pointed to the recent spending power of French giants Paris Saint-Germain as an example of the difficulties United now face when compared with two clubs backed by Middle East owners with apparently limitless spending power. “I think money makes a difference, but I ask you please never misinterpret my words against my club or say that my club doesn’t support or my club doesn’t want to spend because my club spends.”--AFP

Source: New Strait Times December 29, 2017 23:26 UTC