Jose Mourinho calls for Uefa Financial Fair Play clampdown on rivals to aid Man Utd title hopes

Jose Mourinho has issued a chilling warning about Manchester United’s chances of ever winning the Premier League title under him.

The embattled manager claims Uefa intervention may be the only to see United move out of the shadow of fierce rivals Manchester City.

European football’s governing body is investigating allegations made by Football Leaks that City’s Abu Dhabi owners circumvented Financial Fair Play rules by disguising millions of pounds of investment.

Mourinho has repeatedly urged United’s board to keep pace with City’s incredible spending – but was left bitterly frustrated by their failure to land a host of top targets in the summer.

Now he claims a Uefa clampdown may be the only way to see his side close the gap.

United are currently 18 points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s league leaders and face a fight just to force their way into the top four.

Asked how long it would be before United were serious title contenders again, Mourinho’s answer was ominous.

“I don’t know,” said the Portuguese. “It depends on our evolution, but also others’ evolution.

Rivalry: Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the Manchester derby. (Getty Images)

“If the ones above us keep going in same direction and if their ambition and investment is continuous, that’s one thing. Another thing is if they stop, or if the Financial Fair Play makes them stop and then we can close the gap a little bit better.”

While Mourinho has been left hoping for outside intervention, Guardiola is convinced City have little to fear, despite suggestions this week they could face a Champions League ban.

“We will not be banned, no,” said the Catalan. “That’s what I think because I trust in my chairman, with my CEO, what they have explained to me. I trust in them.

“If it happens, because Uefa decide that, we will accept it and move forward.”

Mourinho’s position has come under increasing scrutiny, with agent Jorge Mendes being forced to issue a statement over his future following reports United were ready to replace him with Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.

(Getty Images)

The statement read: “There have been more rumours of Jose Mourinho leaving Manchester United. It’s totally untrue.

“Jose is very happy at the club and the club is very happy with him. He has a long-term contract with Manchester United and is fully committed to the club in building a solid winning project.”

Mendes’ rare public statement is unlikely to lessen the scrutiny on his client as United’s season continues to drift.

Wednesday’s draw with Arsenal extended their winless run in the league to four games and left them eight points off fourth place going into Saturday’s game against Fulham.

Mourinho believes United’s problems this season only endorse his belief that a second placed finish last term was an outstanding achievement.

In Pictures | Man Utd vs Arsenal | 05/12/18

He said: “I’m not speaking about our own situation, but you can finish 10th, I’m not saying us, a team can finish 10th and a manager feels like a champion. Correct?

“If you speak with David Wagner, Rafa Benitez, Claudio (Ranieri) now. If you speak with them and tell them you are going to finish 10th they will feel like a champion.

“I made a fantastic job, I stayed in front of teams with more potential than my team, last season we finished second and I felt we stayed ahead of teams with more potential than us.”