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Jose Mourinho

MANCHESTER. – Jose Mourinho says Manchester United have as much chance of cracking a safe as signing Neymar from Barcelona.

The Brazil international last week revealed a love of English Premier League football and said “any player would like to work” with Mourinho or Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

But Barcelona tied the forward to a five-year contract in October, and a release clause starting at £181m increases incrementally over the course of his deal.

Asked about a possible Manchester United move for Neymar, Mourinho told ESPN: “It’s speculation. I always try to be objective and pragmatic with clubs and to ask them what they can give me. To ask for Neymar is absurd. A club like Barcelona cannot and will not lose Neymar. Although Lionel Messi is still a young player with years ahead of him, he’s almost 30, and Neymar will be the great player of Barcelona post-Messi.

“So much that I think it is like trying to break into a safe – impossible.”

Meanwhile Mourinho says he is “totally against” international friendlies following injuries to key central defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on England duty. – AFP.