Manchester United risk losing their best players if Jose Mourinho survives for the rest of the season and the mood around the club does not improve dramatically.
The 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle on Saturday has raised hopes that Mourinho can turn a corner and keep his job at Old Trafford following a weekend of intense scrutiny over his future.
Another school of thought is it merely papered over the cracks at United that have been apparent for some time between Mourinho and some of his players.
Paul Pogba remains the biggest concern, with United’s record £89million record signing desperate to leave the club and join Barcelona as early as January despite being told he is not for sale.
The Frenchman has fallen out with Mourinho and been stripped of the vice-captaincy, although Pogba could still push for a move to Spain even if the manager is axed.
Luke Shaw is out of contract at the end of the season and it is understood the England defender has no intention of signing a new one if Mourinho is still in charge.
United have tried to instigate talks but Shaw has not forgiven the manager’s brutal criticism over the last two years despite reclaiming a first-team place this season.
Anthony Martial’s willingness to discuss a new contract in recent weeks is thought to be on the basis that he believes the Portuguese coach will not be at United much longer.
Martial has been at odds with Mourinho and was fined for going AWOL from the tour of the US in July. Both player and manager were open to a move this summer but the club’s hierarchy would not consider it. Martial’s contract runs out at the end of this season although United will trigger a 12-month extension if the 22-year-old does not agree new terms.
David de Gea is in the same situation and there are growing concerns over his reluctance to sign a new deal. United chief Ed Woodward met with De Gea’s agent Jorge Mendes, who also represents Mourinho, in London on Friday with the club believed to be offering a long-term deal worth approximately £275,000-a-week for a goalkeeper widely regarded as the best in the world.
But De Gea is understood to have concerns over United’s ability to challenge for major honours under Mourinho and is reticent about committing the best years of his career to the club. Despite the stirring win over Newcastle, United remain seven points adrift of the Premier League leaders having lost three of their opening eight games.
The club will also exercise the one-year option on De Gea’s contract to keep him until June 2020 if the two sides cannot reach agreement. However, they face being forced to sell both De Gea and Martial before then to prevent them leaving on free transfers.
Eric Bailly is another player facing an uncertain future after he suffered the humiliation of being substituted 18 minutes into the Newcastle game with United trailing 2-0. It was a huge setback for the Ivory Coast centre back, who has only just started to work his way back into Mourinho’s plans following a fall-out towards the end of last season.
Meanwhile, captain Anthony Valencia was axed from the squad after endorsing a social media post calling for Mourinho to be axed and will consider his future in January.
Other players out of contract at United this summer and unsure over their futures include Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Ashley Young and Phil Jones.
Herrera would prefer to stay and sign a new deal but the club’s current terms have fallen short of his expectations and he has been offered a return to Athletic Bilbao in January.
Adekunle1991
198
To say the fact there are some average players in this United team but they will improve under another coach, as a footballer you will possess some qualities which you know how to do best and it will be needed in some matches, you will never improve under mourinho if you are that kind of player. Take Oliver Giroud for instance he is not the type to move the ball on his feet and dribble but he is good on air and doesn't hold the ball when it's passed to him, he releases it to near team mate. Under mourinho he will be the worst est player. Mou should change his tactics or leave our club for us
zeoabilmyz
198
Any player who leaves because Jose stayed, is an enemy in the mix , and the ones that stay put are just our real utd players who has the interest of the club at heart . We are still Manchester United , will forever be.
Dakacelz
191
Hasn’t it become obvious yet, Mourinho is ruining United. What will it take for the board to act? The win against Newcastle should not indicate that the problem is fixed. The players not wanting to renew their contracts indicate they have had enough oh Mourinho. United won’t be able to attract quality players while he is in charge. Woodward needs to act now so the new manager can plan for next season.
ciybckos
91
The press are in business of selling their newspaper and themselves. Everyday they think of what to write knowing that Man Utd and Mourinho are high profile club, and people are interested in them, they always come up with things to write against our great club. Trophy is good but our love for our club is greater than any other things. Last week was regardless of the results, Mourinho will be sacked during the weekend. Everyone was waiting for his sack. Now if he survives, Man Utd risk loosing key players. Can the press leave Man Utd alone for the players to and coach concentrate on their jobs. What the press is doing is to put a crack between players and coach, between coach and board. Pls, press, leave Man Utd alone and write about other clubs and players. You're the problem Man Utd is having.
whykallar
82
Even if players having problem with Jose. i don't expect them to not be committed to the club, The club is paying them to play and bring in good results, likewise the club is not picking money from the tree or floor, they should show commitments to club and keep playing to prove Jose wrong, but the players keep loosing their games, Jose can't only take the responsibility for poor performances, they should forget about Jose and show love for the club to enable the board to determine what actions to needed to be taking, play for the love of the club, because it's the club paying you and not Jose, What is the club guarantee when Jose leave, they will do better?