Man Utd chiefs make Jose Mourinho sack decision after manager demand

Reports on Friday suggested the Manchester United boss would lose his job regardless of the result against Newcastle this weekend.

The Daily Mirror claimed Mourinho was to be given his marching orders after the Old Trafford clash, with Michael Carrick on hand to take over on a temporary basis.

However, after waiting almost 12 hours to speak out, Sky Sports claim club officials have now dismissed those claims as ‘nonsense’.

BBC News reporter Dan Roan also tweeted this morning, saying: “My understanding is that Mourinho is not in any imminent danger. There was a meeting in London yesterday between Utd & the manager’s camp, but they were told he’ll be given time to turn things around.

“Newcastle match could obviously change things, but that’s current situation.”

The Mirror’s report claimed United decided to axe Mourinho after Tuesday’s goalless draw with Valencia.

The Red Devils were drab and insipid as the La Liga side emerged from the match unscathed and untested.

And it is not just on the pitch where United have suffered.

Mourinho has made enemies of some key Old Trafford stars, including Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.

Various reports also claim Eric Bailly, Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez and Andreas Pereira have also clashed with the boss.

Zinedine Zidane remains the favourite to get the job on a full-time basis.

But United seem to be publicly backing their man ahead of today’s visit from Newcastle.

United legend Gary Neville launched a stunning attack on the club last night, claiming Mourinho deserved support from above.

“I think of Louis van Gaal being sacked the day before a cup final and finding out from other people,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“I think about how the club is being operated.

“If this is true, we don’t know if it’s true, but if this is true, and Jose Mourinho is going to walk out at Old Trafford tomorrow almost like a dead man walking, those fans will absolutely turn towards that boardroom.

“It’s unacceptable, and I have to say that Jose Mourinho will get the biggest support he’s ever had in his life tomorrow in that ground. And I’ll be there to give it to him.