Big Ron’s rocket for Jose flops

MANCHESTER UNITED need to “bang a few heads together” rather than sack manager Jose Mourinho. That is the frank verdict of former Old Trafford boss Ron Atkinson as the club seeks an end to some destructive infighting. United’s 3-2 comeback win against Newcastle, sealed by Alexis Sanchez’s late winner (below) eased the pressure on beleaguered Mourinho and his team. But now Atkinson (right) is calling on players and staff to forget any grievances and pull together to turn around their season. Big Ron said: “There’s enough talent in that team to get United back on track and challenge the likes of City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

“To my mind dismissing the manager isn’t the answer. “What they might need to do is bang a few heads together to make them realise who they are representing and the standards they have to maintain.

“They are at the biggest club in the country and one of the two or three biggest in the world.

“They have to earn their big salaries and should also have personal pride in their own performances.

“It’s too easy to hide behind issues that are going on at a club and players will do that. They’ll take advantage of any deflection or distraction.” United head for Mourinho’s former club Chelsea on Saturday to face a side inspired by the genius of Eden Hazard. Atkinson, who led United to two FA Cup triumphs, said: “Some may think beating a struggling Newcastle doesn’t prove a lot but the manner of that victory brings the feel-good factor.

“They should go into the rest of the season with renewed confidence and intent.

“It’s not been a good start to the campaign but they have the collective quality to put things right.

“Let’s not forget they were second in the league and reached the FA Cup Final last season and won two trophies the season before, which is not a bad record for team and manager. “People go on about the style of play but what any fan wants to see above all else is a winning team and United have the players to be winners.”