Manchester United sit 10th in the Premier League, already at least five points behind the rest of the 'big six', and have not won in their last four games.




That includes Tuesday night's goalless draw with Valencia in the Champions League, a Carabao Cup exit to Championship Derby and just one point from league games against Wolves and West Ham.
United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford but they have been poor there this season with only one victory in five games.
So serious is the situation, United legend Paul Ince believes Mourinho could be given the boot if his old team lose.
If they lose on Saturday evening, particularly if it’s a bad loss, there will be a decision made on Jose Mourinho’s future very quickly,” Ince told Paddy Power.
“If they don’t get a result against Newcastle this weekend, Jose Mourinho is in real danger.
“He won’t walk, because that’s not in his character. I hate the thought of Jose being sacked.
“But, If you’re not picking up results and there’s this black cloud hanging around Old Trafford, your time as manager is running out.
The signs are not looking good for him. The fact is, United are no better off than they were before Mourinho.
“In the past, you’d say United aren’t the kind of club to just sack a manager.
“But it seems that is what they’re like now.”
Whispers of dressing-room disquiet continue as the odds on the United boss to leave shorten.
Mourinho’s players attempted to show a united front by breaking with tradition by taking part in a pre-match huddle before they drew with Valencia.
But Ince believes some are trying to get Mourinho sacked by not playing for him.
“It baffles me that Manchester United players are choosing when they want to put effort into playing for their club,” he added.
“Every player in the shirt should be putting in effort and showing desire, even if you don’t get the result.
“There’s no excuse for not putting in effort. These are professional footballers, on astronomical wages, playing for one of the biggest clubs ever.
“It doesn’t sit right with me that it looks like they can’t be bothered.
Yes, there might be a couple of players who are trying - but you need the whole team to be contributing. It looks to me as though they’re not interested in playing for Jose Mourinho anymore.
“When I played for the club, I saw it as an honour and although I didn’t always play well, no one could ever accuse me of not putting the work in.
“What I find disappointing is those players are happy for Mourinho to take the blame.
They should be admitting the fact that they are responsible for the way they’re playing. They’re throwing him under the bus, despite putting in poor performances every week. And they’re getting away with it.
“Some players want Man United to get beat, just so that there’s pressure on Mourinho to be sacked. The amount of times that you see a new manager go to a club and suddenly, the whole team are up for it.
“You have to question the attitude of the players.”
Under-fire boss Jose Mourinho will face reporters at the unusually early time of 8am on Friday morning.
Bleary-eyed journalists will have plenty to grill the Portuguese about, with the manager's comments under an 8.30am embargo.
United have made their worst start to a league season since 1989-90 and put in an uninspiring performance in a goalless draw against Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils' press conferences usually take place at around 1pm, although he did catch journalists out by turning up half an hour early for one at the end of August, hanging around for just eight minutes before walking out again.
THE FIXTURES THAT COULD DETERMINE MOURINHO’S FATE
Newcastle (h) October 6
Without a win in four matches in all competitions, the pressure is on United to stop the rot and head into the international break on a positive note. However, results at Old Trafford have been poor this season with only one victory in five games.
Chelsea (a) October 20
The start of a huge week sees Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge to face his former club. The form book suggests it could be a chastening experience for the Portuguese, but what better place to begin to revive United's fortunes?
Juventus (h) October 23
Another high-profile clash sees Cristiano Ronaldo return to Old Trafford in the Champions League. Mourinho will be hoping the former Reds icon does not inspire the Italian champions to a victory which would likely put United under pressure in the group.
Everton (h) October 28
United have a good record against Everton, especially at Old Trafford, and Mourinho will be desperate for that to continue, particularly if the games against Chelsea and Juventus have not gone well.
Bournemouth (a) November 3
A game United must surely get a result in given the two matches to follow. It will not be easy, however, with Eddie Howe's side making a good start to the season.
Juventus (a) November 7
European away games do not come much trickier. Anything but a victory will probably see United fall behind Valencia, who have back-to-back matches against Young Boys, to third spot in the group. Qualification could then hinge on a showdown at the Mestalla.
Manchester City (a) November 11
United will be praying they have turned the corner by the time this fixture comes around. Mourinho masterminded an unlikely victory at the Etihad last season and he may need something similar next month, possibly to save his job.


Manchester United sit 10th in the Premier League, already at least five points behind the rest of the 'big six', and have not won in their last four games.




That includes Tuesday night's goalless draw with Valencia in the Champions League, a Carabao Cup exit to Championship Derby and just one point from league games against Wolves and West Ham.
United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford but they have been poor there this season with only one victory in five games.
So serious is the situation, United legend Paul Ince believes Mourinho could be given the boot if his old team lose.
If they lose on Saturday evening, particularly if it’s a bad loss, there will be a decision made on Jose Mourinho’s future very quickly,” Ince told Paddy Power.
“If they don’t get a result against Newcastle this weekend, Jose Mourinho is in real danger.
“He won’t walk, because that’s not in his character. I hate the thought of Jose being sacked.
“But, If you’re not picking up results and there’s this black cloud hanging around Old Trafford, your time as manager is running out.
The signs are not looking good for him. The fact is, United are no better off than they were before Mourinho.
“In the past, you’d say United aren’t the kind of club to just sack a manager.
“But it seems that is what they’re like now.”
Whispers of dressing-room disquiet continue as the odds on the United boss to leave shorten.
Mourinho’s players attempted to show a united front by breaking with tradition by taking part in a pre-match huddle before they drew with Valencia.
But Ince believes some are trying to get Mourinho sacked by not playing for him.
“It baffles me that Manchester United players are choosing when they want to put effort into playing for their club,” he added.
“Every player in the shirt should be putting in effort and showing desire, even if you don’t get the result.
“There’s no excuse for not putting in effort. These are professional footballers, on astronomical wages, playing for one of the biggest clubs ever.
“It doesn’t sit right with me that it looks like they can’t be bothered.
Yes, there might be a couple of players who are trying - but you need the whole team to be contributing. It looks to me as though they’re not interested in playing for Jose Mourinho anymore.
“When I played for the club, I saw it as an honour and although I didn’t always play well, no one could ever accuse me of not putting the work in.
“What I find disappointing is those players are happy for Mourinho to take the blame.
They should be admitting the fact that they are responsible for the way they’re playing. They’re throwing him under the bus, despite putting in poor performances every week. And they’re getting away with it.
“Some players want Man United to get beat, just so that there’s pressure on Mourinho to be sacked. The amount of times that you see a new manager go to a club and suddenly, the whole team are up for it.
“You have to question the attitude of the players.”
Under-fire boss Jose Mourinho will face reporters at the unusually early time of 8am on Friday morning.
Bleary-eyed journalists will have plenty to grill the Portuguese about, with the manager's comments under an 8.30am embargo.
United have made their worst start to a league season since 1989-90 and put in an uninspiring performance in a goalless draw against Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils' press conferences usually take place at around 1pm, although he did catch journalists out by turning up half an hour early for one at the end of August, hanging around for just eight minutes before walking out again.
THE FIXTURES THAT COULD DETERMINE MOURINHO’S FATE
Newcastle (h) October 6
Without a win in four matches in all competitions, the pressure is on United to stop the rot and head into the international break on a positive note. However, results at Old Trafford have been poor this season with only one victory in five games.
Chelsea (a) October 20
The start of a huge week sees Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge to face his former club. The form book suggests it could be a chastening experience for the Portuguese, but what better place to begin to revive United's fortunes?
Juventus (h) October 23
Another high-profile clash sees Cristiano Ronaldo return to Old Trafford in the Champions League. Mourinho will be hoping the former Reds icon does not inspire the Italian champions to a victory which would likely put United under pressure in the group.
Everton (h) October 28
United have a good record against Everton, especially at Old Trafford, and Mourinho will be desperate for that to continue, particularly if the games against Chelsea and Juventus have not gone well.
Bournemouth (a) November 3
A game United must surely get a result in given the two matches to follow. It will not be easy, however, with Eddie Howe's side making a good start to the season.
Juventus (a) November 7
European away games do not come much trickier. Anything but a victory will probably see United fall behind Valencia, who have back-to-back matches against Young Boys, to third spot in the group. Qualification could then hinge on a showdown at the Mestalla.
Manchester City (a) November 11
United will be praying they have turned the corner by the time this fixture comes around. Mourinho masterminded an unlikely victory at the Etihad last season and he may need something similar next month, possibly to save his job.