The story threatens to repeat itself because Jose Mourinho is left with more questions than answers

Around the Manchester United camp this summer, some are now actively moving away from José Mourinho's path, while he cuts such a frustrated figure in search of answers that he does not receive. .

The questions that he poses are always the same, but the urgency has changed just like the tone.

Who are United who will actually sign, and when? And – something that is now a source of almost irritation for Mourinho, because of how he is more and more connected to the first – who will they sell, and when?

"Everything is really bad, "said the Portuguese last week, including his mood and that of the club. 19659118] This could change if Mourinho gets the answers he's looking for, but the more important issues that weigh on the reign of the Portuguese will certainly persist.

The first line of inquiry is how frustrating this pre-season is framed, and how much can be read in any pre-season.

On the one hand, the summer of 1998 saw United begin to score the goals that they achieved during the treble season were the same as those of Brondby, as they would during the season. On the other hand, the summer of 2014 saw United show the kind of imaginative and impressive movement that there would not be during the two years of Louis van Gaal.

These two contrasts illustrate that there are far too many variables at this time of year, and nothing in pre-season is ever concrete enough to judge correctly – but that does not want not say that there are no signs or indications. And it joins the biggest questions of the reign of Mourinho.

Is the theory of his troubled third season true? Is he stuck in this cycle, and thus stuck in the past as a manager?

The 2018/19 United season will essentially serve as a referendum on all this.

The question itself is worth a much grander debate but, for the moment, it is impossible not to notice that there are many parallels with another key pre-season Mourinho. It was at a different place, but in the same amount of time: this third pre-season in this second pbad to Chelsea.

As at that time, the actual performances of the games this time around were mediocre and not very stimulating. groans of the manager on transfers. There is simply no promising tone.

As in this case too, it is just as impossible not to accept that Mourinho has a considerable point. He made specific requests for transfers for the last windows, and the club only saw them from time to time. One thing they have not really seen is sales, which is causing even more hbadle in Mourinho, since it affects the budget and sharpening of his team. There are about seven players that he wanted to get rid of for some windows that are still there, and that seem to stay. Daley Blind is the only player he will probably be able to move

This just does not match the efficiency that Mourinho is trying to instill in his team in general.

On the other side, Ivan Perisic's explosion in the World Cup only serves to highlight the understandable irritation of the manager in matters of the purchases. United did not take it for the difference of a few million last summer, and Croatian is now valued at many more, having proved precisely how his style could make a difference to the Mourinho system.

The fact that Perisic will reach 30 in a week means that United will not pay for £ 80m for it now, but this approach does not quite extend to anyone who has just come in. to be 29 years old a week ago at Gareth Bale. This is because of the "star" power of the front of Real Madrid and this still reflects a lot on how United's approach seems confusing.

A common source of irritation for Mourinho is the way the club pursues players so often. ", Rather than those of certain qualities that he wants.If, for example, they had reached an agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo – although this has never been considered realistic this summer – the manager n & # 39; He did not foresee that the funds necessary for his financing would come out of his budget

in the strategy, with the deficiencies having already seen Javier Ribalta fall through.

Some of those working with and at United say that There is business to do for Leo Bonucci, Robert Lewandowski and Thiago Alcantara – all of whom would come – and that it will be very revealing to see what the club does as it gets closer to the end from the window and that he has not yet finished any other signatures.

Mourinho wants a winger like Willian or Perisic – or even Ante Rebic – as well as a center- half experienced, but does not really see anything coming in any region. so enamored by advocates that sources claim that he even considered adding to his list of targets Gary Cahill – a brilliant lieutenant for him but now a player who, for at least two seasons, has shown signs of decline.

And that is also where the question arises of the possible decline of Mourinho, namely whether the spark has disappeared – and not only in this window.

In another parallel with 2015, it's impossible not to wonder if Mourinho takes his complaints too far, and if it just takes problems that are already manifesting in the previous season even further. Is he still causing trouble to the team just by creating excuses and problems?

A troubling truth is this: if a difficult third season of Mourinho requires a number of prerequisites apparently inherent to his career,

There was already considerable tension between the manager and the game team and will it really be helped by the Portuguese, showing how much work he is currently finding. What should those who are currently touring in the United States think?

There is then the broader fact that it is the fifth transfer window of Mourinho, and he still feels no closer to a team than he would see ideal. material. Like Pep Guardiola, should he at least be closer to the point where he only needs one or two signatures to keep things going?

There is also the lingering suspicion that he is trying to change the responsibility for any struggle, for any failure, and it is also telling that there is not much confidence around United that they will challenge for the league this season. Despite last season, Sir Alex Ferguson had his best performance.

He was rather content with what has been their worst summer ever since.

Remember that this can change quickly. If Mourinho gets the two signatures – at least – that he wants, he will immediately be a lot happier. Some of the verve will return.

At the present time, only problems come back, and there are many more questions than answers.

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