UNITED STAND BY MOURINHO
Red Devils deny approach to replace him with Zidane
missed the Zidane reports by saying: “Why would we discuss him when there is no job available?”
United are refusing to panic after just one defeat. However, Mourinho’s position is coming under even more scrutiny after his team's capitulation at the Amex Stadium on Sunday when they conceded three goals before half-time.
United chief Ed Woodward sat stony-faced at the final whistle and visited the away dressingroom as usual after the game, although at the time he did not have a chance to speak to Mourinho who was fulfilling his media obligations.
The 55-year-old now faces a huge game at Old Trafford next Monday against a Tottenham side led by Mauricio Pochettino, another coach who has been linked with the United job in recent years.
Mourinho has not worked at any of his previous clubs much beyond the third season, and comparisons are being drawn with the final days of his second spell at Chelsea.
He was sacked in December 2015, seven months after winning his third Premier League title, following a difficult summer in the transfer market.
Mourinho has made no secret of the fact that he is unhappy with Woodward for not signing a new defender before the deadline after spending £75million (RM394 million) on Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant.
Woodward was reluctant to pay over the odds for players like Harry Maguire, Jerome Boateng and Yerry Mina, much to his manager’s displeasure.
Former United favourite Lee Sharpe on Monday predicted that Mourinho would be sacked by Christmas.
“He is the wrong man for the job,” said Sharpe. “When he came to Chelsea the first time he was quite charming and fun, but now he just seems dour and fed up. He’s moaned about not signing new players, and not bigging up the ones he’s got.
“The football is not entertaining and what makes it twice as bad is that their two biggest rivals, Man City and Liverpool, do play exciting football.
“His negative style does not fit in with the expansive football that United fans want. I think he'll be gone before Christmas.”