I disagree re Morata, Goon. That's not my understanding of the situation anyway. As for de Bruyne and Salah - they weren't good enough for Chelsea at that time - and one of the biggest failings of Mourinho's management style is he has no idea how to build for the future, to raise his head out the trenches and see the bigger picture. He wins battles, not wars. Don't tell me he doesn't know a good player when he sees one though.
As for City not signing the "global elite". Well, they've signed and spent more than enough to smash anyone that tries to rival them in this country (and Kyle Walker is probably the best RB in Europe atm imo!). Their squad is absurdly strong compared to everyone else's in England. Still, they'll probably get put in their place when they reach the latter stages of the Champions League. Mind you, it's a good year on that front for them - the big 3 aren't so big right now.
Klaus, whether or not you or I rate Pogba isn't the point. And, anyway, I'm well aware he has talent - in fact I was gaga for him a couple of years back - but he has no heart, no bravery, poor tactical intelligence; he simply hasn't developed into a mature and serious footballer. Most United fan's opinions - or football fans generally - don't interest me; they're the same people tthat would tell you Özil is rubbish or doesn't run or work.
And the point I was making is Mourinho has never rated midfielders, or players in any position, that play the game like Pogba does. He'd take a James Milner over a Joe Cole any day.
Mourinho shapes teams with his defenders. He needs brilliant clinical forwards - just as any successful manager does - but he gives his team their identity by having the best defensive midfielders and defenders. Other than Matic - who is not what he was 2 years ago either - he has jokers playing for him. Guardiola shapes his teams with the best attacking midfielders and he has lots and lots of them. And a couple of the best around.
I think there's a wider factor at play and that's the game developing into a less tactical, more attack based game. Where defensive competence isn't applauded, it's entirely about being devastating going the other way. Mourinho can't buy the quality of defenders he once had because they generally don't exist any more. And the very few that do are unattainable.
The rules re offside, the culture of entertainment and blockbusting goals and transfers have all made Mourinho, and those like him, a bit of a dinosaur.
That's why we see players like Kane, Lukaku and Salah scoring an absurd number of goals, even breaking records of players that have gone before them who's boots they aren't fit to lace.
