Manchester United news: Jose Mourinho says free-scoring days of United domination are over… as they return to top of world rich list
Old Trafford boss saw his side usurp La Liga side after 11 years... but said Prem title is beyond them this season
Sponsored by
JOSE MOURINHO is throwing in the title towel — just like Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola said his Manchester City team, crushed 4-0 at Everton, were too far behind leaders Chelsea to mount a challenge.
Now United rival Mourinho has admitted: “Top, I think, is very difficult.
“But if we can do well in many competitions, in the end we can consider our season good. And if we can consider our season good, even if we don’t win the title, that is a good step.”
The gap between fifth-placed City and Chelsea is ten points, while United are a further two points back.
Despite going 16 games unbeaten, Mourinho added: “For the players it was a difficult period, playing so well against Arsenal and not winning and losing points in the last minute at Everton.”
And there was more bad news for United fans — as it was revealed the days of dominating English football will never return.
Many had already resigned themselves to that fact since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
But with their huge wealth and global reach it was always a possibility the good times would roll again.
That financial muscle was flexed again yesterday when they returned to the top of the earnings tree for the first time in 12 years — leapfrogging Real Madrid.
But ex-United boss Louis van Gaal suggested United’s crown was no longer a firm fixture on the head of English football.
He was derided for it. Now current manager Mourinho says the same.
He warned: “The Manchester United scoring goals and goals and goals is over. There is no more dominancy.
“And you will see that for the next ten or 20 years.”
But one thing the Special One is convinced of is that United can recover, and retain, an identity that was lost under Dutchman Van Gaal — that trademark attacking football and drama.
Mourinho said: “To try to play beautifully and offensive and to have that arrogance to play the way we are playing, I think is very important.
“It is not just about results, but a certain way of playing and having a certain identity.
“And we have found a way to play. The players enjoy playing the way they do, they know the way we want to play and they are happy with that.”
They have been doing that recently in a 16-match unbeaten run that has them fighting on four fronts.
Mourinho concedes the Prem title is gone for this season — but he is starting to work his magic again and reaffirmed his love of Old Trafford life.
The Portuguese, 53, said: “I am where I want to be. I will not change United for an amazing economic offer, or for another championship . . . no. I will stay until the club wants me to go.
“The club gave me a three-year deal and I wanted to bring a new identity to our football.
“To start playing the way the fans want us to play, to try to grow, to go to the top four again and to try to win the title.”
Not this season. Four home draws, which should have been wins, leaves them in sixth — and looking longingly up at leaders Chelsea, 12 points clear of them.
That is on the field. Off it, they are top dogs again after returning to the summit of world football’s earnings, having brought in a massive £515.3million last season.
Champions Leicester sneaked into 20th spot on £128.7m — after making five times more cash than they did just two years ago.
Related stories
West Ham, with their move to the former Olympic Stadium, have entered the top 20 for the first time at 18th, with £143.8m.
They are among eight Prem teams in the annual list compiled by City auditing firm Deloitte.
The combined revenue of the top 20 for 2015-16 totals a staggering £7.4billion — a rise of 12 per cent on the previous year.
Champions League holders Real Madrid were relegated to third below Barcelona as the Ronaldo and Messi effect peaked.
However, United deposed Madrid for the first time since 2004, owing to a £71m surge in commercial growth. Dan Jones, of Deloitte, said: “United’s revenue of £515.3m is the highest ever by a football club.
“Their ability to secure commercial partnerships has been the crucial factor.
“But they will face strong competition from Barcelona and Madrid next year, due to United’s lack of Champions League football, a weakening pound against the euro and rivals demanding similar commercial deals.”
United’s £52m-a-year shirt sponsorship deal with Chevrolet is worth more than TWICE that of Barcelona’s.
The Old Trafford club has around 70 other deals, with backers including Virgin Money, adidas, Aon and Gulf Oil.
Manchester City are fifth — their highest-ever Money League position — while the other Prem teams in the top 20 are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs.
Deloitte senior manager Tim Bridge said: “The 2015-16 Money League has seen overall revenue of the top 20 clubs grow by 12 per cent, compared with eight per cent in the previous year.
“And there is a strong chance almost all Prem clubs will be in the top 30 clubs next year.”
United will probably remain at the top for a while yet. At least they can enjoy dominance in one area of the football world.