Lindelof’s struggles, Pogba’s leadership: Manchester United tour talking points

Mourinho is apparently a happy manager and can be delighted with Lukaku’s start but expect frustration if at least one more signing is not made swiftly

Mourinho has been a ‘happy’ manager, keen to play down his side

Tottenham Hotspur are “big favourites” for the Premier League while Manchester United have only a fighting chance and are inferior to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

These were the three notable declarations from the manager, who emanated calmness throughout the tour. Pre-season trips are hardly the seething cauldron of English football in mid-winter. However, in all José Mourinho’s pre- and post-game media conferences in the United States there has been no flicker of flintiness. When the Guardian sat down with him in Georgetown, Mourinho insisted on stretching the discussion when a press officer wished to close it. There was then an off-the-cuff invite to watch training after the chat.

Mourinho, according to those close to him, “has been particularly happy” during a near-three week stay that has taken in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Houston, Santa Clara and Washington DC. The results helped: 5-2 versus LA Galaxy, 2-1 versus Real Salt Lake, 2-0 versus Manchester City and 2-1 on penalties versus Real Madrid, plus the 1-0 reverse against Barcelona. Following that defeat came the declaration that Real and Barça are different class: this is true. The assertion that Tottenham are the favourites for the league: hmm – Mourinho may be being cute as privately he quite fancies United’s chances.