‘They are still there’ - Jose Mourinho makes damning Man Utd claim about players and staff from his era as Erik ten Hag receives warning

The four surviving members from Mourinho's inherited squad in May 2016 are Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, and Scott McTominay. Mourinho had urged the club to sell Martial in 2018 but was unsuccessful, and he had been critical of Shaw during his tenure. In an interview on John Obi Mikel's Obi One podcast, Mourinho revealed his continued concern about individuals he had identified as obstacles to success.

“There are still people in that club," Mourinho said. "When I say people I mean some players but also some other people that are not players, that are still there when I told [United] after two months: with these people, you are never going to do it [be successful]. And they are still there.”

Mourinho also hinted at his strained relationship with former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, suggesting that working with Richard Arnold, the current chief executive, might have been more favourable.

“They still have a CEO who is an amazing person, who I would love to have had during my time there, that’s Richard Arnold, who is probably now leaving,” Mourinho said. “I had him as a commercial director, not a CEO, and I would love to have had him on my side in my time there, but the club wasn’t easy. I don’t have regrets because I gave everything. The Man United fans know I gave everything, they know how much I love the club. I went there once with Sky, I was in the box giving my comments and the whole stadium turned to me applauding and singing for me.”

Mourinho startlingly claimed that his second-place finish with Manchester United in the 2017-18 season was one of the best jobs of his career.

Mourinho's comments shed light on persistent issues at the club and serve as a warning to Erik ten Hag, whose men have already exited from the Champions League and the Carabao Cup and have suffered 12 losses across 25 matches this season. They will next be in action against West Ham on Saturday away from home.