This isn’t a new dawn for Jose ... it just delays the inevitable

IN SOME ways, Manchester United’s comeback against Newcastle had all the hallmarks of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

It reminded me of an FA Cup tie I played in for Liverpool at Old Trafford in 1999, the year United won the Treble. Michael Owen scored early on and we battered them for 80 minutes. Ferguson then threw on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to cause chaos and they snatched two goals in the final two minutes.

But if anyone believes this is a new dawn for Jose Mourinho and United, think again. This was not about a team rallying for their under-fire manager. The players were trying to save face after a third dismal display in eight days.

A better team than Newcastle would have locked down that victory. They are a side United should be beating routinely. They have not won all season, are without an away win since April and are struggling for goals. So why did Mourinho start two holding midfielders, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay?

You knew United would have all the ball in the world. After defeat by West Ham and a 0-0 against Valencia, this was a chance to silence the critics with a dominant showing. Instead, they started slowly and conceded two sloppy goals. Old Trafford is no longer the fortress it once was. At times when I played there, you would do a lap of honour if you got a corner! Now, even teams devoid of confidence like Newcastle rock up with no fear.

The most damning statistic is that they have been outrun in every match in the Premier League and Europe, including on Saturday. Going into the game, only Cardiff had run fewer miles.

Some blame Ed Woodward for not backing Mourinho this summer but you can’t fault him for the performances. The lack of energy is the sign the dressing room and manager are not in harmony.

And why would you back a manager who splashed out more than £300million and alienates stars he signed such as Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof?

Mourinho didn’t need to dig out individuals after the game. He said that Marcus Rashford (below) was sad on the pitch and McTominay looked scared.

Maybe it’s because the midfielder had been forced to play in an unfamiliar centre back role. Maybe they are in fear of being humiliated like Bailly, hooked after 19 minutes.

Rashford doesn’t look sad when he plays for England. Too many players are not responding to Mourinho. He is not the man to turn things around. The United board have a difficult decision to make. This win only delays the inevitable.