Manchester United chiefs are unhappy with Jose Mourinho complaining about transfer budgets.

Mourinho said recently that the £260 million he has invested in his team in the last 18 months is 'not enough' to compete at the top of the Premier League.

The Daily Mailsays some senior officials at United have interpreted that as a less-than-subtle attempt to pressure them into more spending as Mourinho looks to make up ground on runaway leaders Manchester City.

One prominent Old Trafford figurehead has commented privately that he believes reports linking United to signings have their origin in people close to the manager.

While United are prepared to let the Portuguese set his own agenda when it comes to relations with match officials, opposition managers and even former United players, they will not appreciate thinly-disguised efforts to force their hand on spending.