A Super-team that never was: Man United really failed Mourinho

A leaked five-man transfer shortlist has shed light on the elite squad Jose Mourinho was trying to assemble at Manchester United before his exit in 2018.

The Portuguese manager, known for his trophy-winning spells, had big ambitions at Old Trafford—but they never fully materialized.

Top of Mourinho’s wishlist was Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, with the Welshman linked to a sensational Premier League return. Next, Mourinho had eyes on solidifying United’s defense with Toby Alderweireld and Juventus’ Alex Sandro, a duo that could have reshaped the backline.

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The Belgian defender had been a standout player at Spurs, and Mourinho saw him as the ideal partner to stabilize United’s shaky backline.

Despite talks between the two clubs, the deal collapsed due to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s refusal to lower the £75 million asking price, which was beyond United’s budget. This was a major blow for Mourinho, who believed Alderweireld was key to transforming the defense.

With Mourinho losing faith in Luke Shaw’s consistency and relying on veteran Ashley Young in the role, he wanted a more reliable option. This was where the need for Alex Sandro came in, with his pace and defensive prowess, fitting the bill.

However, Juventus demanded a hefty £60 million fee, forcing United to shift their attention elsewhere. Kieran Tierney, then at Celtic, was briefly considered, but Mourinho ultimately decided that the young Scotsman wasn’t enough of an upgrade over Shaw to justify the investment.

Mourinho also wanted a familiar face in Brazilian winger Willian, but the reunion never came to fruition despite an accepted bid. One deal that did happen, however, was Fred—who Mourinho eventually reunited with in 2023 at Fenerbahçe.

The former Chelsea coach was later sacked by Manchester United in December 2018 after the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. His ideal wish-list was nothing more than a fervent dream that could have but never was.

What if all these names had joined? United might have seen a golden era, but the missed opportunities left fans wondering what could’ve been.