In Brief

Man Utd vs. Newcastle: Jose Mourinho to be sacked if Red Devils lose?

Old Trafford manager’s pre-match press conference lasts just three minutes

5 Oct 2018

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The pressure is on Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho after a poor start to the season

Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

When: Saturday 6 October
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
Kick-off: 5.30pm (UK time)
TV channel: live on BT Sport 1

Under-fire Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho may be out of a job as early as next week if his side fail to beat Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Man Utd transfer news: Alexis Sanchez wants out of Old Trafford

The Sun reports that the Portuguese manager has “lost the faith” of the senior boardroom figures and that his time at United “is almost up”.

After recording their worst start to a season since 1989, United have failed to win their last three home matches, and Mourinho has reportedly had bust-ups with star players including Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez.

The Red Devils were beaten 3-1 at West Ham last weekend, so the clash against Newcastle is seen as a must-win - for both the team and their beleaguered boss.

Speaking on Friday morning ahead of the Premier League fixture, Mourinho addressed the press for just three minutes. He claimed there were “many different reasons” why his side were struggling but admitted that it would be unacceptable to go five matches without a win, Sky Sports reports.

Metro calls Mourinho’s pre-match performance “bizarre”, while ESPN asks: has Mourinho lost the United dressing room?

According to the Daily Mirror, goalkeeper David de Gea is the latest star to fall out with Mourinho. The Spanish No. 1 is said to be “fed up” as problems with the manager worsen.

Man Utd vs. Newcastle team news

The London Evening Standard reports that Ashley Young is available to face Newcastle, but United boss Mourinho has confirmed that Marcos Rojo, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera will miss the clash.

With no wins this season, Rafa Benitez and Newcastle are also in need of victory at Old Trafford. Benitez will again be without Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon, out with a thigh injury, but the Spanish boss could be boosted by the returns of Federico Fernandez and Paul Dummett.