Jose Mourinho never actually said it, but there was an undertone to many of his Manchester United news conferences last season.

Win, lose or draw there was often a feeling he thought he was only ever doing the best he could with what he had.

He settled for four new players last summer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba each filled a specific weakness he had identified while watching Louis van Gaal's team during the second half of the 2015-16 season.

But in an attempt to maintain some stability -- he decided against making wholesale changes right away -- he was left with a squad put together by four different managers.

Some of the players he inherited already fit his "profile." Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford adapted quickly to his demands. Others, like Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial, struggled.

Mourinho is expected to sign another four players this summer. That means by the time the new season kicks off, he should have finally built a team in his image. And it will look very familiar.

The on-off pursuit of Antoine Griezmann is evidence that Mourinho will stick to what he knows. After winning league titles in four countries, why should he not?

The response to the news that United's interest in Griezmann has been put on hold because they want a No. 9 rather than a No. 10 was revealing. Those who have watched the France international play regularly will argue that he's as much a striker as anyone else.

He certainly has the goal-scoring rate of one, having found the net 83 times in 160 games since signing for Atletico Madrid in 2014.

But, crucially, he is not cast in Mourinho's mould of a centre-forward. He is not Didier Drogba, nor Zlatan Ibrahimovic. To Mourinho, Griezmann is a No. 10, like Mesut Ozil or Oscar.

With doubts over Ibrahimovic's long-term future, Mourinho has been linked with moves for other strikers that fit his type: Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata -- a player the coach knows from his time at the Bernabeu -- and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

Morata, 24, is available for much less than the £85 million Everton are quoting for Lukaku. And, he is at the top of the list. In Mourinho's eyes at least, he is a more proven centre-forward than the Belgium striker.

There is a concern at Old Trafford that Lukaku, despite scoring 25 Premier League goals last season, can be wasteful. Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, a back-up option, has also not fully convinced those in charge of United's recruitment.

If it is to be Morata, many supporters may feel underwhelmed. He scored in the 2015 Champions League final for Juventus against Barcelona, but only managed 27 goals in two seasons in Turin. He was replaced with Gonzalo Higuain, who got 32 last season.

The appeal, though, goes deeper than just how many goals he scores.

Morata is 6-foot-2, good in the air, and capable of leading the line by himself. He can hold up the ball, stretch defences with runs into the channels and bring others into the game.

The striker's role, in Mourinho's opinion, is about more than just goals.

Mourinho has felt bound by United's tradition since arriving at Old Trafford. He has felt pressure to play attacking football, more so than at any other club he has managed. He even suggested that, on certain occasions last season, he sacrificed results in its pursuit.

But his basic principles remain intact. Teams he has built have won titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain -- four of the most demanding leagues in the world. He has won the Champions League twice, with Porto and Inter Milan.

His teams have included different players, but many with similar qualities.

His full-backs have attacked and his centre-backs have been dominant. His midfielders have been disciplined and physical, usually alongside one creative hub. His wingers have been diligent and hard-working. His strikers, for the most part, have been strong, aggressive and are a focal point for the attack.

The fact that Mourinho has put a deal for Griezmann on ice, and chosen to target a player like Morata instead, suggests he is bringing his blueprint back.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ROB DAWSON, MAN UNITED CORRESPONDENT

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]