It has become quite something, and a symbol of where Manchester United are headed, that Jose Mourinho’s stock continues to rise. Primarily for just not being there anymore.

Jettisoning Mourinho last December was seen as a must by the United board, a definitive course of action that rid the club of explosive toxicity and rancour. His race at Old Trafford, and more specifically Carrington, had run.

The Portuguese admitted as much on Sky Sports – ‘I probably deserved to be sacked’ - after their latest defeat at West Ham.

Jose Mourinho was damning in his assessment of Manchester United on Sky Sports on Sunday

The former Old Trafford boss insisted that the club were in a worse position than when he left

Now a full-time pundit, he is aware of the consequences his words can have after crossing the divide. It is why the sort of topics he addresses with gusto centre on themes he has always been consistent about – and usually arrive at the same point without explicitly naming names.

Victor Lindelof is perhaps the best example and evidence for those who believe Mourinho still had a slim chance of making things work at United.

In summer 2018, he demanded a new central defender, a request vetoed by the club. Harry Maguire and Kalidou Koulibaly were his primary targets but considered too expensive. Mourinho knew Lindelof needed a commanding partner, someone who would attack the first ball. He told United that.

Mourinho was desperate to secure a centre-back partner for Victor Lindelof, but was told no

He emphasised that point at the weekend, saying that he needed a strong presence beside him

‘Lindelof is very, very good in some aspects of the game,’ he said. ‘But he can be bullied in the one-on-one in the box, he’s not especially good in the air and Maguire has that kind of presence and physicality that is very, very important.

‘You know, I was not an idiot in the last pre-season when I was crying for a central defender.’

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was clearly of a similar mind. In came Maguire and, as pertinently, out went Chris Smalling on loan to Roma. Phil Jones has yet to play a minute in the Premier League.

MOURINHO AT UNITED Matches: 144 Won: 84 (58.3 per cent) Drawn: 31 Lost: 29 Points Per Match: 1.97 Honours: Europa League, League Cup, FA Community Shield Advertisement

Mourinho’s views are nothing new. Ed Woodward and the Glazers must fidget uneasily if they ever pore over the footage of Mourinho sitting alongside those he once derided almost on a weekly basis.

Much about the 56-year-old is thinly veiled and that has not changed during his short broadcasting career.

‘The sad reality is that they are worse than before,’ he said. ‘Maybe people think I am enjoying the situation... I am not enjoying it. I have people at the club that I love and lots of respect for the fans. It is really, really sad.

‘At this moment I don’t see anything. I think they are going to really, really be in trouble to get not just into the top four but potentially in the top six.’

There is no great altering of his view on United’s fallacies and it comes down to recruitment. These are the same criticisms he aired as manager and it must serve as embarrassing having an ex-employee still lay them out so nakedly.

The striker situation - United were left with none at West Ham once Marcus Rashford hobbled off – is an astonishing turn of events. He queried why no replacement was sought for Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, both his signings, before they joined Inter Milan.

United have struggled this season, and Mourinho says they may even struggle to make top six

The studio discussions would have made uncomfortable viewing for United's Ed Woodward

Are #MUFC worse than last season?



"Maybe people think that I am enjoying the situation. I am not enjoying it at all."



Jose Mourinho is sad about #MUFC's demise, saying they are worse than last season and that they will struggle to get into the top six: https://t.co/eoweh9WNZ7 pic.twitter.com/plSVOYwVOY — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 23, 2019

Part of that conversation regarded Rashford’s position. Mourinho started him as a central striker in the 2017 Europa League final but preferred the youngster wide on the left. Rashford suffered a significant goal drought under Mourinho, who claimed he struggles centrally when teams sit back. Obviously most often sit back against United.

The ex-manager’s difficulties with Anthony Martial were so severe that he wanted him sold last year and it remains to be seen whether the France international proves him wrong.

So far, Mourinho’s knife has never truly twisted on United’s players. That is reserved, however subtly, for the board. He and Woodward were friendly – the executive vice-chairman was actually having dinner at Mourinho’s London home when one sacking story broke on a Sunday afternoon last season – but professionally it is somewhat different.

Rashford endured something of a drought under Mourinho, who preferred him on the wing

The Portuguese boss's relationship with Anthony Martial was beyond repair during his time

Rather than criticise David De Gea’s form, Mourinho is flabbergasted that the club were held to ransom by a goalkeeper who, he believes, ran out of options elsewhere. De Gea signed a new £375,000-a-week contract earlier this month after fraught negotiations.

‘I don’t think United needs to pay as much as that to have him,’ he added. ‘One or two years ago he had the world after him, in this moment, the majority of the big doors were closed.

‘Is he good? Yes, he’s very good. (But) I don’t see the pressure. Who is going to pay David these numbers? (De Gea) gets a phenomenal contract in a moment where he’s a bit lucky to get it.’

Are you sitting uncomfortably? Then we’ll begin.