Evidence that Manchester United boss is aiming to build the next Barcelona?

Sure he’s looking at Zlatan. And, despite his obvious class, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is no spring chicken at 27.

But TFF is beginning to get a strong sense that Jose Mourinho fully intends to confound the critics and stick about long-term for Manchester United.

Let’s face it. There aren’t too many more clubs that he could feasibly go to. They are either too small or too annoyed by previous relations with the volcanic genius.

Mourinho has been pulled apart in the press for 6 months since the Eva Carneiro debacle and subsequent sacking from Chelsea – and we feel that hell hath no fury like a Mourinho scorned. He’s sucked it all up and been given his dream job at the end of it.

Mourinho has a massive budget but he may never have had employers who are so concerned with the long-term as Manchester United.

Yes, there is intense pressure to challenge for the title immediately and get back in The Champions League at the first time of asking. But that is precisely why players like Zlatan and Mkhitaryan could come in.

But look beyond that and you see a purchase of a raw but brilliant 22-year-old. Eric Bailly isn’t going to come to the boil for 2-3 years so it isn’t a signing which smacks of short-temrism.

Then we have Breel Embolo who Sky Sports suggest:

‘super-agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly negotiating a deal with Manchester United over a possible transfer.’

Then there is the hype surrounding Adam Ounas. And a pattern may be forming. Is Mourinho trying to build a real legacy? A squad that can win for a decade and win with style like the hitherto peerless Barcelona of the last decade?

That is most certainly what TFF’s money is on. Because Mourinho wants to be remembered as the very best. Everyone knows that. And the best have to leave a legacy. It’s not good enough to come in and out in a blaze of glory and acrimony. History doesn’t remember those guys so fondly as they do the Fergusons and Shanklys of this world.

Mourinho is lucky that the Manchester United job opened up when it did. But the real winners are United themselves. Ed Woodward has finally struck gold and he may now sit back and watch as the club scales the peaks once more.