Manchester United's transfer woes in pre-season has left Jose Mourinho feeling more like a head coach than a manager as his targets were reportedly vetoed.
United were linked with several new players in various positions across the pitch during the close-season, but in the end only Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant arrived.
Media speculation on Thursday suggested the reason United had not been as active as expected was down to the club's hierarchy overruling Mourinho on his primary targets.
And the Portuguese seemed to confirm those reports after Friday's unimpressive 2-1 win over Leicester City in the Premier League's opening game of the 2018-19 season, a campaign he predicts will be "difficult" for his squad.