No flak allowed for Jose
Manchester United have gagged their match- day ambas s ador s f rom criticising Jose Mourinho.
Club officials have told former stars who mingle with guests in the hospitality lounges at Old Trafford not to publicly attack the Portuguese coach when they speak to supporters.
Wi th speculat ion mounting before the international break that Mourinho’s future was on the l ine aft er a disappointing start to the sea son, Uni t ed are sensitive about negative comments from within the club.
And before United’s last home game with Newcastle – which they won 3-2 having been 2- 0 down inside 20 minutes – the club’s raft of ex- players were ordered not to hammer Mourinho.
Uni ted’s premium hospitality areas are serviced by title-winning heroes such as Bryan Robson, Denis Irwin, Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ji- Sung Park and Gary Pallister.
Their job is to engage with fans who have paid anything up to £600 to have a meal, drinks and listen to their former idols give their views.
At the start of the season all match-day ambassadors were sent standard code of conduct letters outlining their responsibilities, including a list of dos and don’ts, which include no drinking alcohol while on duty.
They were also guided to be constructive in their criticism of players and the manager.
Before the international break pressure was intensifying on Mourinho after a string of poor results and rumours of dressing-room turmoil.
And the ex- stars have since been told not to criticise him.
Mourinho and board supremo Ed Woodward have been under attack from former stars Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand in their roles as TV pundits.