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    Jose Mourinho Won't Answer Question About Manchester United's EPL Title Chances

    Tom Sunderland@@TomSunderland_Featured ColumnistJuly 24, 2018

    SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 22: Jose Mourinho the head coach / manager of Manchester United during the Pre-Season match between Manchester United v San Jose Earthquakes at Levi's Stadium on July 22, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
    Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho put up a wall when questioned on his side's Premier League title chances heading into the new season and refused to answer whether he thought his squad can contend.

    The Times' Paul Hirst gave an update from United's pre-season tour of the United States, when Mourinho wouldn't give a response to the question regarding their title prospects:

    Paul Hirst @hirstclass

    Jose asked if he can challenge for the title with the squad he has got: "I don't answer your question."

    Manchester City beat the Red Devils to last season's league crown and finished 19 points clear of their neighbours, placing pressure on Mourinho to improve this season despite finishing as runners-up.

    United are training in Los Angeles ahead of the opening game of their 2018 International Champions Cup campaign against AC Milan at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Wednesday.

    The squad has been affected by absences following the conclusion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with many players still making their way back from their summer holidays.

    Speaking from their base at UCLA, Mourinho suggested Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea are more fortunate in terms of their player availability: "If you look to the players Chelsea and Liverpool have in pre-season, especially these two teams, also Arsenal, I think if you compare you see the difference of the situation. City and Tottenham in the similar situation as we are."

    Antonio Valencia is an injury concern, and summer signing Diogo Dalot is yet to feature for his new club since joining from Porto. Fellow new arrival Fred has also yet to appear and has only recently joined the squad since he featured for Brazil at the World Cup.

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    While some managers might post a proud defence of their team's targets at this stage of pre-season, regardless of what signings had been made or injury concerns, Mourinho has opted for a different tactic.

    Sport Witness posited that the United chief would have done better to offer a more positive stance:

    Sport Witness @Sport_Witness

    As for 'What was he supposed to say?' He's experienced enough, something like "The transfer window hasn't closed, there's still opportunities to improve, but I have faith in my squad and work to get the most out of them. We'll approach the season with the right aims."

    The Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler noted the comments carried on a running theme on this pre-season tour:

    Chris Wheeler @ChrisWheelerDM

    Mourinho pointedly refuses to say if Man Utd can challenge for the PL title this season as downcast mood continues on US tour.

    Along with Fred and Dalot, the club have signed veteran goalkeeper Lee Grant, 35, from Stoke City, but fans were likely expecting a more rigorous recruitment after finishing so far off City last season.

    This comes after Mourinho was similarly enigmatic when recently quizzed on whether the club would be completing any more signings this summer, per writer Chris Winterburn:

    Chris Winterburn @cmwinterburn

    Mourinho on new signings, "I have no idea. I really don't know. We signed Lee Grant because we have a really fantastic young goalkeeper who needs to go on loan. Lee protects that position. I really believe Joel is a Manchester United goalkeeper."

    United have a little more than two weeks of the summer transfer window remaining (August 9), and they begin their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester City the following day.

    The manager's public opinion on the title race this season may not affect results, but a dour-sounding outlook on the campaign won't do much to deter hope dissipating among the fanbase.