Mourinho’s Manchester United went into half-time 2-0 down after a first-half horror show at Old Trafford.
The under-fire United boss subbed off Eric Bailly after 19 minutes – bringing on Juan Mata instead – before throwing on Marouane Fellaini for Scott McTominay at half-time.
With the clock ticking in the second half and United still 2-0 down, Mourinho had little choice but to bring on his final substitute.
Except there was one problem – the man he wanted to bring on was 40 yards away!
Alexis Sanchez was the man Mourinho was after and getting him on was a priority.
The United manager proceeded to shout ‘Alexis, Alexis’ at the top of his voice – before the former Arsenal man turned round and sprinted back.
And his introduction seemed to work. Juan Mata tucked home a 20-yard free-kick to halve the deficit before Anthony Martial bagged a second to equalise. Sanchez then netted a stunning late winner to seal a 3-2 win.
Mourinho barely let out a reaction whn the first went in but he proceeded to gee up the fans and punch his fists following Martial’s goal.
Ironically, the Frenchman’s strike was set up by Paul Pogba – with those two of the players who are thought to be most at war with Mourinho.
While United were booed off at half-time, the Old Trafford faithful roared on their team after the break – a sign the fans are still behind their beleaguered chief.
Regardless of the result, bookmakers think Mourinho will be sacked by the end of the weekend.
Though the club dismissed stories about the Portuguese’s demise – exactly as they did before each of the three previous managers departed – Paddy Power make it odds-on that he’ll be sacked before United’s next fixture (4/6).
That game would be a reunion with old club Chelsea, were he went down in similar flames, but the odds suggest he won’t even see out the weekend – it’s 6/4 he’ll go tonight (Saturday) and 7/2 he’s sacked on Sunday.
As for who’ll be inheriting job shambles, Zinedine Zidane is the clear favourites (8/11) – with a short price he’ll be in the away dugout for the trip to Stamford Bridge next time out (2/1).
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Regardless of the wider issues at Manchester United, of which there are clearly many, Jose Mourinho’s role as manager is untenable.
“It won’t be a cheap dismissal for the Old Trafford club, just think of the room service bill after two-and-a-half years in a hotel definitely committing to the club.
“Special once, the Special One is odds-on not to be in charge for United’s next fixture.”