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Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodard has opened up on their transfer dealings under Jose Mourinho - and confirmed he had to overrule the Portuguese boss.

Mourinho was sacked by the Red Devils last December amid criticism of Woodward and the club for their failure to land a centre-back.

Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant were Mourinho's only summer acquisitions in 2018 as they missed out on future signing Harry Maguire and other big-name targets.

Mourinho's relationship with club bosses led to his dismissal after a poor run of form to be replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, although he has now secured a Premier League return with Tottenham .

Woodward has now confirmed he did overrule Mourinho over "one or two" transfer targets after consultation with recruitment experts.

(Image: Manchester United)

"It is true that there was a difference of opinion on one or two players between the manager and the recruitment department," Woodward told United We Stand.

"Sometimes I have to be one who delivers the ‘no’, which isn’t easy, because our natural tendency is to back the manager in every possible circumstance, but we have to listen to the recruitment experts too."

Whilst Woodward failed to act on some of Mourinho's transfer targets, he has been warned by Jamie Carragher he must consider acting in the managerial market.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Mourinho's Tottenham arrival has left long-term Mauricio Pochettino on the market having been dismissed by Spurs.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher declared Woodward must "do his job" and make contact with the Argentinian if their form does not improve by the New Year.

"There is no doubt Pochettino is the one they wanted and Solskjaer did that well, it forced United to give him the job.

"He should be allowed in January to get what he needs.

"At the top of Manchester United , when they get to Christmas and January and this continues, and there is a guy like Pochettino who would take them forward.

"They would not be doing their job if they weren't in contact with him."