Ed Woodward and Jose Mourinho's relationship is certainly strained right now.

After a difficult summer, the last thing the pair needed was Manchester United losing in catastrophic fashion in a game they were odds on to win.

But that's exactly what happened, as the Red Devils lost 3-2 away at Brighton on Sunday - a scoreline which actually flattered them on the day.

The fallout from that game hasn't been pretty either..

Paul Pogba questioned his own and his teammates attitude in his post-match interview, with his agent, Mind Raiola, sending Twitter into meltdown yesterday.

He indirectly tweeted Paul Scholes about his latest criticism, going on to talk about how he could find Pogba a new club.

It's a mess, so the only slightly good bit of news right now is that the Daily Mail report that United's senior figures are backing Woodward and Mourinho to resolve their differences.

The last thing the club needs right now is one of them departing in acrimonious fashion.

And there's a key piece of information from that report that could explain Woodward's odd approach to the transfer market in the summer.

The Mail state that efforts from Woodward have been focused on modernising the club's academy, which has apparently received seven times more investment than in recent years.

United's scouting department is also receiving an overhaul, while a successful candidate for the director of football role could emerge before the end of the season.

It seems as if Woodward is trying to build for the future, not splash out in the present.

Whether that's something that suits Mourinho is another thing entirely and clearly he would rather have had some big money signings this summer.

Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant were the only arrivals, while Mourinho missed out on key targets in Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire, Willian and Ivan Perisic.

Do you think Woodward's approach is right, Man Utd fans? Have you say in the comment box below.