The turmoil at Manchester United rumbles on but reports that Jose Mourinho is set to be sacked seem to have been misplaced as today the club confirmed he retains their backing.
Last night, news broke that Mourinho was to be sacked regardless of the outcome of today's Premier League tie against Newcastle United. Off-field concerns and poor results have compounded an already bumpy Mourinho tenure but the club have confirmed he will remain in place. Both The Guardian and BBC confirm that there are "no plans to remove him."
Per the Telegraph, Man United did meet with Jorge Mendes, Mourinho's agent, but it was to do with a new contract for goalkeeper David De Gea.
I said last night I thought @ManUtd needed to address the 'sacked' story. They have. Jose Mourinho hasn't been and wasn't going to be. He will be in charge for Newcastle. Evidently he needs results but hierarchy are behind him.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) October 6, 2018
Vice-chairman Ed Woodward has sacked two managers in the past but never early in the season and only after they failed to secure a crucial Champions League spot. Mourinho did publicly aired issues with the transfer dealings conducted by Woodward last summer and the club were recently linked to a new Director of Football.
Two conflicting reports emerging from the club within twelve hours will do little to alleviate the growing concerns amongst their fanbase. Last night, a furious Gary Neville slammed the report that the manager was set to be sacked.
I have to say that Jose Mourinho will get the biggest support he's ever had in his life tomorrow I think in that ground, and I'll be there to give it to him.
If this is true ... it's an absolute disgrace. Where are the values and the principles of Manchester United? That the journalists find out, and it isn't announced at the right time.
They play Newcastle United at Old Trafford tonight, with kick-off at 5.30pm.
