Mourinho in no mood for discussion in tense and terse press conference

Jose Mourinho insisted his relationship with Manchester United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward remains intact during a bizarre press conference today.

The United manager turned up to face the national and local media 30 minutes ahead of schedule and was clearly in a bad mood during a tense and terse exchange with those journalists in attendance.

Many were not even in the room when he finished the media briefing after eight minutes of short answers, a clear attempt to avoid intense enquiries about a trying start to the season for his club.

The relationship between Mourinho and his “employer” Woodward has been one key factor under the microscope after a summer in which United failed to deliver the transfer targets their manager wanted.

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And, recently, his relationship with record signing Paul Pogba has also come under scrutiny with the French international’s agent Mino Raiola having this week poured oil on troubled waters with an outburst against United legend Paul Scholes on behalf of his client.

The whole scenario added up to a potential explosive press conference, although Mourinho was in no mood to answer questions.

When asked if his relationship with Woodward was “fine,” Mourinho would only answer “Of course.”

And when quizzed further, asked whether there was a problem with the United executive, Mourinho responded: “No.”

Mourinho has cut a disgruntled figure so far this season (REUTERS)

Such answers were indicative of Mourinho’s mood at the end of a week in which he has faced criticism for his team’s poor display in the 3-1 defeat at Brighton on Sunday, a result that followed an unconvincing 2-1 home win over Leicester on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Not that Mourinho would accept a description of his week as “bad.”

“No,” he said. “I think ‘difficult.’ Difficult is after the match you lose, it is always difficult, especially for people that really care about the job, about being a football professional.

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“But after that, you think about the next match. You do the same when you win, you have to move on and focus on what is next and when you lose you have to do it even more.”

The United manager, similarly, did not want to explore the issue of his relationship with Pogba after the French international admitted his attitude was not “right” after the Brighton defeat.

“Paul said it, so he has to answer for his words,” said Mourinho. “If you want any explanation about Paul's words you must get him and ask him.”

Mourinho refused to discuss Pogba's comments (Getty)

Mourinho, who accused one reporter of being “pessimistic” for his line of questioning, claiming he is the opposite, also declined to comment about Tottenham, the team his club faces on Monday at Old Trafford.

And, bizarrely considering his mood, Mourinho also insisted that he does not, in any case, read or listen to media coverage of his club.

“Don't ask me because I don't read, I don't know 10 per cent of what is written, of what is coming on TV screens so I'm not the right guy to answer it,” he said.

At least Mourinho had better news on the injury front with Antonio Valencia and Nemanja Matic, both of whom missed the opening two games, back in full training on Friday.