Report: Mourinho demands public backing from United before Newcastle match
Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United to voice support for his management before Saturday's meeting with Newcastle United, sources told ESPN FC's Mark Ogden.
A report from The Mirror's David McDonnell surfaced earlier on Friday stating that Mourinho would be sacked this weekend regardless of the result against the Magpies, prompting a scathing review of the club's running by former captain Gary Neville.
Related: Neville calls United 'rotten to the core' amid claims Mourinho is set for sack
Mourinho has apparently pushed for public backing from executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Old Trafford hierarchy over the past few weeks - a period that has seen him field questions about his allegedly fractious relationship with Paul Pogba and United's slump of four matches without a win - but to no avail.
Ogden describes Mourinho's latest request for boardroom support as a "back me or sack me" plea as he faces the prospect of entering the weekend wrangle as a dead man walking. Louis van Gaal dealt with a similar scenario when he was axed after the FA Cup final in 2016.
The Florida-based Glazer family, owners of Manchester United for 13 years, are said to be concerned about Mourinho's ill-tempered behavior at the club's helm, but are determined to see him overcome his difficulties and steer his team to success on the pitch. Mourinho's current deal runs until June 2020.
Mourinho would like the Glazers' preference to not terminate his contract reflected in a club statement. If one isn't forthcoming prior to the Newcastle match, it would be a clear indication that his tenure in Stretford could be reaching an unceremonious end.
Other accounts that followed McDonnell's seismic report also suggest the 55-year-old's time at United is practically over. According to The Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler, members of Mourinho's backroom team have been exchanging private numbers in case their club phones are seized in the event of the manager's sacking.