Jose Mourinho has conceded that Manchester United will have no chance of beating their rivals to the Premier League title any time soon if they keep investing at the same rate.
Mourinho's agent on Friday revealed the manager has no intention of leaving Old Trafford and will see out the remainder of his contract.
However when asked to look into his future at United, Mourinho struggled to see a time when his side will be able to lift the league title.
'I don't know,' he said when asked about a time frame. 'It depends on our evolution, but also other's evolution.
'If the ones above us keep going in same direction and if their ambition and investment is continuous, that's one thing.
'Another thing is if they stop, or if the Financial Fair Play makes them stop and then we can close the gap a little bit better.
'The world is full of suggestions and I never know if they are true or not true, and that's not my job to analyse that.'
Liverpool have had to endure a 28-year spell since they last won the English top flight.
And since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement at Old Trafford in 2013, some are questioning whether United could endure a similar barren spell to their Merseyside rivals.
Mourinho, however, was unable to say whether that would be the case.
'I don't know what happened in Liverpool,' said Mourinho. 'I just know the numbers, but I don't know why.'
One thing is for certain, however, at least according to his agent. Jorge Mendes insisted Mourinho is in it for the long haul at United and reassured supporters that he is happy at the club.
'There have been more rumours of Jose leaving Manchester United,' said Mendes. 'It's totally untrue. Jose is very happy at the club and the club is very happy with him.
'He has a long-term contract with Manchester United and is fully committed to the club in building a solid winning project.'
AndyFiindje
152
I don't see a point in keeping Mourinho as a head coach. His agent stated he has no intention to leave the club and when asked about PL tittle he has no idea. Football club is about winning tittles. Mourinho should stop defending himself with lack of signing. Tottenham are maintaining their level with no summer signing and they had few signings every transfer window compared to Man United. They improve and analyse problem in their squad. In a recent transfer he had three signatures but is not playing them. Fred and Dalot are good players and u have others who are also good players of which the majority are your own signings but still no improvement. you do not know if the players he is signing are real solution to the areas he want to improve. Get lost if you can't win and build the team.
ship50
148
Another master piece from Jose. "Everyone is spending money except us. All my players are useless. I can't get a top 4 place, leave alone title challenge. So all you Man Utd fans, prepare for long spell of mediocrity." Well done, Jose. We now eagerly wait for a top 10 finish with the minuscule spendings that include Pogba, Lukaku and Fred and record earner Sanchez. We should not except anything with such low level players. Not your fault, of course. Let us wait till the clubs above us get banned/demoted for FFP violation. That's the only way we have. And you're going nowhere. Well done, Jose.