Manchester United vs Leicester: Jose Mourinho insists he ‘likes’ his squad and hits outs at ‘lies’

Mourinho has been downbeat this summer and frustrated by a lack of signings

Jose Mourinho has insisted that he ‘likes’ his Manchester United squad, dismissing suggestions that he has poor relationships with some players as 'lies'.

Mourinho has cut a frustrated and downcast figure for much of the summer, with United’s struggles in the transfer market chief among his complaints.

The United manager said earlier this week that if the club were to make no more signings before Thursday’s deadline, then the season ahead would be ‘difficult’.

No new players arrived though, leaving Brazil international Fred, young full-back Diogo Dalot and third-choice goalkeeper Lee Grant as United’s only acquisitions.

At the same time, Paul Pogba's relationship with Mourinho is understood to be strained, with Pogba’s agent attempting to engineer a move away from Old Trafford.

Ahead of United’s Premier League opener against Leicester City on Friday, Mourinho claimed to have a good relationship with his squad and to be enjoying his work.

"I have my players and I like my players,” he said when asked whether he felt he had the resources to compete for the league title this year. “I like to work with my players.

“One lie repeated 1,000 times is still a lie, but the perception of people is that it's true. When you repeat 1,000 times that my relationship with my players is not good, it's a lie. Repeated 1,000 times is still a lie.

Mourinho hit out at what he perceived as 'lies' in the media (Getty)

“I like my players and my group. I enjoy the last season, the fight to finish where we finished and to manage the best position in five or six years. I'm going to enjoy this season.”

Mourinho had earlier admitted he was not confident that United would add to the squad before the transfer deadline later that afternoon.

The United manager stopped short, however, of voicing any frustrations again. Instead, he said that the strength of his side would become clear in the winter, several months into the new campaign.

“I know the words you want me to say or not to say. It depends on the music, but words don't come easy.

“By the end of November or December, you don't need words. You'll see by then which teams are candidates to win the Premier League.

“At the moment words are not important. Let's play football and see by the end of November or December. You'll see which teams are candidates.”