Jose Mourinho feels it has become very difficult to lure top players from other big Premier League clubs.
Manchester United have had the history of bringing players from their rivals with the latest being Nemanja Matic when the Red Devils signed him from Chelsea last year.
With the inflated transfer market nowadays players attract higher transfer fees. United have been splashing the cash for the last few seasons but since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils have failed to put up a strong show.
Mourinho guided United to the Europa League crown in his first season and led the Red Devils to a second finish in the Premier League. But that attractive brand of football has been missing and Mourinho has been often criticised for his negative football.
Mourinho said, “I will give you an example, that I hope is a good example. I hope you can interpret it in the right way.
“Is Manchester United by history, by its dimensions, bigger than Tottenham? With all the respect – Tottenham is an amazing club – I think everybody would say yes.
“Can we go to Tottenham and buy their best players? No – because they don’t sell or because they are so powerful that they can say no.
“A few years ago, who was Tottenham’s best player? Michael Carrick. [Mourinho gestures to indicate Carrick moved to United].
A few years later, who was the best player? Berbatov [Mourinho makes the same gesture].
“Can we go now there and bring Harry Kane, Dele Alli, [Christian] Eriksen, [Heung-min] Son?
“Can we go there and bring the guys here? No.
“So, who is more powerful now. Them or us?”
