Man Utd news: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho unhappy to compete 'against a state'

14:47, Tue, Nov 14, 2017 | UPDATED: 14:47, Tue, Nov 14, 2017

The Portuguese led the Red Devils to EFL Cup and Europa League success in his first season at Old Trafford.

And he’ll be hoping to better that this term as United seek to regain the Premier League title they last won in 2013.

United are eight points adrift of table-topping Manchester City going into this weekend’s showdown with Newcastle though.

And last month Mourinho may have aimed a dig at Pep Guardiola’s club, who are backed by the wealthy Abu Dhabi royal family.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is said to be unhappy about going up "against a state"

According to The Independent, Mourinho discussed the financial state of the game with compatriots from Champions League opponents Benfica.

And among the topics of conversation were clubs that are heavily funded by states.

A high-level source revealed that Mourinho said to Benfica officials that it can be difficult to compete "against a state".

Jose Mourinho speaks at Manchester United Premier League press conference GETTY

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is said to have complained about competing "against a state"

Jose Mourinho coaches Manchester United in the Premier League GETTY

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United are eight points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City

And with City so far ahead in the title race already, the dig could be seen as one towards them.

The Independent have suggested an alternative to City though - Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

The French side were purchased by the investment arm of the Qatari government in 2011.

And they have since used their wealth to purchase players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.