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Football

06th Oct 2018

Manchester United deny reports that Jose Mourinho is set to be sacked

Matt Stanger

Jose Mourinho is going nowhere, for now

It was reported on Friday evening that the Manchester United boss was set to be sacked this weekend regardless of the team’s result against Newcastle.

Gary Neville launched a passionate defence of Mourinho on Sky Sports in reaction to the breaking story, claiming “there’s something rotten to the core” at Old Trafford.

“I’m furious, since three or four years ago when David Moyes was sacked and it was broken a day before to journalists. I think of Louis van Gaal being sacked the evening of an F.A cup final and finding out from other people,” said Neville.

“I think about how the club is being operated. If this is true, and Jose Mourinho is going to walk out at Old Trafford tomorrow as almost like a dead man walking, those fans will absolutely turn towards that boardroom. It’s unacceptable.”

The club have dismissed speculation that Mourinho will be dismissed, however, with senior officials telling the Press Association that the Portuguese’s reign is “not under immediate threat”.

Last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham saw United equal their joint-worst start to a Premier League season, replicating David Moyes’ inauspicious beginning in 2013/14.

With 10 points from seven games – alongside a League Cup exit to Derby County – the pressure continues to mount on Mourinho’s position. Saturday’s match against Newcastle could prove to be decisive.