But… But… Nobody mentioned Alexis Sanchez.
Jose Mourinho would have anticipated plenty of questions on his transfer plans when he addressed the media following Manchester United’s first preseason game.
After United had beaten LA Galaxy 5-2 on Saturday night, Mourinho spoke to reporters at the Stubhub Centre.
According to Manchester Evening News, a Spanish journalist asked Mourinho about whether there remained any hope of signing Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, the forward who was believed to be United’s top target earlier this summer before they eventually brought Romelu Lukaku to Old Trafford.
“It is a question for Florentino [Perez]. I don’t know the first thing about Sanchez,” Mourinho answered.
“What I said today is what I say today. Clubs put price tags on players, not the one who wants to buy. He belongs to Madrid. Madrid has decided and we have not come to an agreement. It is simple. It is a shame.
“He is a player who made it to the first-team with me. We have a special liking for him, he is someone special. I enjoyed watching his evolution in Juventus and Madrid. It is like that. I don’t think he can end with us.”
Strangely, Mourinho used Sanchez’s name in response to a question about Morata, whose name sounds nothing like that of the Arsenal forward who has been linked with a move away from the Emirates all summer.
It begs the question… Why was Sanchez’s name in Mourinho’s thoughts?
The slip of the tongue certainly didn’t go unnoticed by intrigued United supporters.
So Mourinho wasn't asked about Alexis Sanchez last night but answered using his name. Hmmm. #smokescreen #mufc
— Serge Adam 🇾🇪 (@SergeMUFC) July 16, 2017
Mourinho says He doesn't know about Sanchez. #mufc pic.twitter.com/iQs7Cox4tE
— GURI 👹 (@TheRooneyTune) July 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/momen_hamza/status/886449701012340736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetro.co.uk%2F2017%2F07%2F16%2Ffreudian-slip-jose-mourinho-mentions-alexis-sanchez-to-send-manchester-united-fans-into-transfer-meltdown-6782811%2F
Mourinho on Ronaldo:
"Mission impossible."
Mourinho on Sanchez:
"I don't know." 👀#MUFC
— Retro United (@Retro_Utd) July 16, 2017
So Mourinho wasn't asked about Alexis Sanchez last night but answered using his name.
— Fergie's_Time 🇬ðŸ‡ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡³ (@junior_neat) July 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/rivalreds205/status/886558786672054272
there is no way Mourinho confused Morata's name with Sanchez's. He's just being a rascal!! love it!!!!
— #MambaForever (@Mvgoh) July 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/transferwindo/status/886511512801693697
