Mourinho thinks players spend too much time with ManU sponsors during training. GETTY IMAGES
Manager José Mourinho is "annoyed" that his players are spending "too much time" promoting ManU’s sponsors rather than "concentrating on improving their game on the training pitch," according to Paul Hirst of the LONDON TIMES. ManU has 46 official sponsors, many of which "pump millions of pounds into the club," such as adidas, ManU's kit supplier, and Chevrolet, which sponsors the shirts of the first and youth teams. Under the terms of its contracts, many of the club's sponsors are "entitled to time with first-team players" so they can produce promotional videos or attend launches at either Old Trafford or the club's training ground in Carrington. It is understood that Mourinho "raised concerns privately" about his squad spending too much time on such activities rather than training. He believes it is "affecting the focus of some of his players." Former ManU Manager Louis van Gaal complained that players were "involved in too many promotional shoots" during his first tour in charge four years ago (LONDON TIMES, 5/22).
