Mourinho had four targets at the end of last season and has praised United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward for landing three of them – Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof.
There is an increasing acceptance at Old Trafford that the transfer window will close with just those three additions – that’s the lowest in the post-Ferguson days since David Moyes brought in just Marouane Fellaini in 2013.
The one that has got away so far is a winger.
“Obviously, my plans were four but I also told them to be cool, there is no pressure from me, do what you think is best for the club,” Mourinho said today.
“We will be together again for another window in January and one next summer so there is no pressure at all from me.
“I am happy with the squad we have. I’m ready to go without a fourth signing.”
United sources say the trail has gone cold for Ivan Perisic with Inter Milan unwilling to lower their £48m valuation and the Croatian apparently not prepared to kick up a Diego Costa stink to force a move through.
United retain an interest in Gareth Bale – it goes back a decade to his Southampton days – although the player is showing no inclination to leave Real Madrid at the moment while Real seem happy to keep him.
There remains a slight chance that Bale could become unsettled at the Bernabeu however with Asensio and Isco showing up well in the pre-season matches and Zinedine Zidane struggling to keep all his stars happy with regular starts.
But time is running out before the window closes and it looks like it will be next summer at the earliest before Bale gives serious consideration to returning to the Premier League.
Other names have been thrown into the mix like Julian Draxler, whose place at Paris St Germain has been threatened by the world record arrival of Neymar. German international Draxler can play either on the left or right.
Borussia Dortmund’s pacy Marco Reus would be an obvious target but he is unlikely to play until the New Year after yet another injury.
Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele looks bound for Barcelona while Arsenal look favourites to land Monaco’s Thomas Lemar.
United continue to dismiss repeated links with PSG right back Serge Aurier and Monaco midfielder Fabinho.
If Anthony Martial can maintain the form he showed in pre- season and as a sub in the opener against West Ham then the need for a winger may not be so pressing. But left back is an area United could do with strengthening.
Luke Shaw will not be fit until next month and his injury record at United has been poor. Mourinho is willing to give him another chance to show he can be the long-term answer in that position but he knows once he is fit again he has to remain fit and find his form quickly.
United have as cover Daley Blind, who is happier at centre back, and Matteo Darmian, a right back who can play on the left, but neither is top quality in that position.
If Tottenham showed any inclination to sell Danny Rose – and he was fit to start the season – United would no doubt be at the head of the queue. It is likely we will have to wait until January or next summer for developments on that one.
As for out-goings it will be quiet. United have shed several senior players going back to January when Morgan Scheniderlin, Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger left. Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Adnan Januzaj and youngster Josh Harrop have all exited this summer.
Ibrahimovic, working his way back from ruptured knee ligaments, is likely to re-sign in January if he has made a successful recovery.
But for now Mourinho will be happy to go with what he has got.
