Why wasn't Mourinho fully backed in the summer transfer window?

United's start to the season has been indifferent, with the club winning four, drawing one and losing two of their opening seven matches.

The Reds' back line appears to have shored up a little in recent weeks but in the games United have failed to win, specifically the loss at Brighton, the defending could have been far, far better.

It's common knowledge that Mourinho wanted a centre-back in the summer but Woodward didn't deliver one and he vetoed a number of the Portuguese's targets for a variety of reasons.

That looked like a stupid decision when Toby Alderweireld, Mourinho's No.1 target, came to Old Trafford with Spurs last month and played his part in a 3-0 win for the visiting side.

Will that approach change in January?

Jose Mourinho will doubtless be eyeing winter additions to his squad after he was denied a defender in the summer.

The United manager also wanted a right winger, with Willian his top target, and that has continued to be a problem position at the start of this season.

Willian was also a United target in the summer

Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have all played there in recent weeks but it's not a natural position for any of them and it's an issue that needs rectifiying.

Willian is likely now out of reach with the Brazilian much happier at Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri than he was when Antonio Conte was in charge but you can guarantee Mourinho will have other options in mind.

What plans are in place for United to close the gap to City?

United finished 19 points behind City last season and, if the two teams carry on picking up points at the rate they have done so far this season, the gap will be even bigger come May.

City are streaks ahead of United on the pitch and even the most ardent Reds fan will struggle to make a case for them finishing ahead of their fierce rivals in the league this season.

As well as the obvious on-field gap between the two clubs at senior level, City's youth system is superb and United have some catching up to do on that front as well.

What is the board's biggest concern after an underwhelming start to the season?

United have finished in the top four in less than half of the seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson's 2013 retirement.

David Moyes and Louis van Gaal were both sacked for failing to secure a top-four finish, while the Europa League was the saving grace for United in Mourinho's first season in charge, when victory in the Stockholm final ensured qualification for the Champions League after a fifth-placed top-flight finish.

Woodward won't give anything away about whether Mourinho is under any pressure but the Glazers clearly have history of taking action when Champions League qualification is in doubt.