Mourinho’s grip weakens as star offered new deal

United board defy manager with Martial offer

ANTHONY Martial is considering signing a new five-year contract with Manchester United in the latest sign of Jose Mourinho’s diminishing power at Old Trafford.

Mourinho was keen to offload Martial this summer but any such move was vetoed by Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman.

The club want to keep Martial, regardless of how Mourinho feels about the Frenchman, in a move that will cast further doubts over the manager’s future ahead of Sunday’s crunch game against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Mourinho was backed in the aftermath of United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday – their second loss in succession – but there are players and staff at the club who believe it is only a matter of time before the Portuguese is sacked and Martial’s situation will merely reinforce that view.

It was reported over the weekend how the 22-year-old had felt emboldened by United’s refusal to bow to Mourinho’s desire to sell him and the prospect of the forward signing a new deal would mark another severe blow to the manager’s dwindling authority.

Woodward refused to sanction moves for two Mourinho transfer targets this summer – Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham Hotspur or Leicester City and England centre-half Harry Maguire – much to the manager’s frustration.

Mourinho no longer has control over transfer matters and the club’s

So far he has cost them £44m of a projected £61m fee.

Philippe Lamboley, Martial’s agent, announced in June that the player wanted to leave Old Trafford but that stance has now softened and it is unlikely that he would be countenancing staying at the club if he did not feel he could outlast Mourinho.

Martial was fined about £180,000 – two weeks’ wages – last month after reputedly leaving United’s pre-season tour of the US without permission in order to attend the birth of his second child. However, those close to Martial suggested the player did have permission and was dismayed to be fined.

Ryan Giggs, meanwhile, has urged United supporters to rally around the embattled manager. Mourinho still retains the support of the United hierarchy despite a disappointing start to the season that has seen them lose two of their three Premier League games.

“I was there on Monday as a United fan,” said the former Red Devils favourite.

“It’s time for the fans to stick together, to get behind the club, the team and the manager and the coaching staff.

“That’s me purely speaking as a fan. It’s a tough time at the moment but we’ve had tough times before and come through them.”

United’s next test is at Burnley on Sunday and defeat there will intensify the spotlight further on Mourinho’s future.

“I hope we come through it sooner rather than later and I’m sure we will in the next game.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)