Senior figures at Manchester United have acknowledged there is a problem with Jose Mourinho — but they believe executive vice chairman Ed Woodward can fix it.
A miserable summer tour of the USA, coupled with a telling outburst from Paul Pogba and a 3-2 defeat at Brighton on Sunday have seen storm clouds gather above Old Trafford just two games into the season.
Members of the club's top brass are aware there is an issue which needs to be resolved but there is no panic.
They have confidence Woodward can deal with it, despite concerns that if the situation is not addressed effectively it could quickly snowball.
And in a surreal development on Tuesday, Pogba's outspoken agent Mino Raiola risked sparking a feud with United fans by criticising club legend Paul Scholes.
Raiola took to social media to claim that Scholes, who slammed Pogba's display following the Brighton loss, 'wouldn't recognise a leader if he was in front of Sir Winston Churchill'.
The agent, who tagged Pogba in his tweets, added cryptically: 'Paul Scholes should become sports director and advise Woodward to sell Pogba. Would be sleepless nights to find Pogba a new club'.
Raiola's involvement is viewed as unhelpful by United.
Mourinho, outspoken during the club's trans-Atlantic trip, is battling disillusion in the dressing room over his methods.
Pogba — recently offered an olive branch by Mourinho in the form of the captaincy — admitted that he could not express his feelings for fear of triggering a fine following United's 2-1 opening-night victory over Leicester.
Mourinho's criticism of United's dealings in the transfer market this summer and his annoyance at missing out on a centre half have touched a nerve with some of the club's powerbrokers, who believe the manager has not delivered the short-term fix they had hoped for.
United, who host Tottenham on Monday, will report back to Carrington on Wednesday, where it is thought Mourinho will address the situation with his players.
Woodward has already made moves to improve relations and the feeling inside the club is that it is now over to the manager to earn his money.
Pogba leaving — with the transfer window closed for English clubs, meaning United would not be able to sign a replacement — is not being entertained.
The problem comes at a time when Woodward's efforts have been focused on modernising the club's academy — which Sportsmail understands has seen seven times more investment than in recent years — and the overhaul of United's scouting.
Moves to find and appoint a director of football, which it is hoped will provide a buffer between the manager and board, are ongoing and a successful candidate could emerge before the end of the season.
Meanwhile, club officials are bemused by Gary Neville's criticism of Woodward following the defeat at the Amex Stadium.
Former United defender Neville claimed that Woodward had sat stony-faced in his seat for two minutes — something he does not 'want to see the CEO of Manchester United do'.
The Sky Sports pundit added: 'Stand up, shake the opposition CEO's hand, smile, be bigger than anything and get into the back'.
A source said Woodward remained in his seat until the queue for the exit had died down and later congratulated his Brighton counterparts on their victory.
Cayabcmprs
115
Jose Mourinho has always been a problem in all the different teams he has coach . He needs some psychological intervention and coaching on human relations in general . He is always long-faced , moody , morose , serious and rude to players and match officials . The guy is a Big Bore . He lacks courtesy and decorum . Has his country of origin ever appointed him as the football team national coach and if not Why ? . This guy is behaviourally sick . Please psychologists intervene before its too late .
wretchedalien
98
Should resolve these problems really fast but the solution is not as simple as removing Mourinho and installing a new manager.. Mourinho or whoever the new manager is must have some form of freedom on the transfer front and be allowed to bring in the players he want. Without the right players.. Success will be hard to come by.
zeoabilmyz
75
The earlier the better, because Utd is fast losing its identity. Great club with rich history supposed to maintain its rightful place in European football, but recent Management >> Coach >> Players incompatibility is threatening to drag the club image to the muddy waters . Something drastic need to be done about this situation we find ourselves. Those concerned should make haste while the sun shines. A stitch in time they said, saves nine.
TonyV25
69
If Mourinho is a problem just get rid off him New manager might bring some attacking football and new environment in the dressing room but won't bring any trophies and then it will be all that media drama again We should have signed players and now for that Mourinho is getting all the blame Gary Neville is right to defend Jose here
Seun_Icon
63
from my own point of view I think d man utd board has 85% of d problem man utd ar facing while mourinho has 15% of it. Guadiola first season was failure despite spending more Dan other club but d man city board trusted him dey gave him more money d following season and he delivered. But in man utd case der transfer dis season is totally out of it and yet dey want mourinho to perform like man city dey need to spend more to achieve more DAT football dis days. I think mourinho has little fault.
kodceopuy
61
Three major factors which is affecting United family one De Gea as a keeper people are silent on him why he is the course of all the failed o United two pagba so much proudest in him let him change his way of attitude yet he has done nothing to the United family since he came back for the second time thirds Marino him self please there is a time for every thing now is ur time to enjoy ur money you have saved please leave us now and thank u for what you have done to us byeeeeeee.
CR7ICON
56
All Football has fallen short of infos.. the only things I ses now are; Mourinho this... Mourinho that... vote..pogba or Mourinho. man.utd is angry .. bla bla bla ....it's TOOOOO MUCH NOW PLEASE
Fiuaepsy
50
first of all these are the systems need use. Pogba must stay in the middle part of the field he is more effective that way. a And Rashford and Martial like wise the need to more central tha wide then see the difference if they wide they are effective enoogh. in our defence structure I think 3-5-2 is a solution. If Smalling, Bailey and Lindelof can be given leadership roles that will settle them a bit. those mistakes they commit will be minmized. know in their responsability. in middle field my is right wing.
Sterzil
46
How is he a failure??? the squad just lacks some quality and a little bit of creativity.... He wanted players to join with he didn't fulfill he. plays well against big teams but against small teams they are just weak... if Jose had all the players they want, there's no way United would be unstoppable..... and series he's attitude is freaky which he needs to change but he's not the worst he's trying he's best this obviously isn't the Team he wanted
waninr
24
Mourinho has been given time since his arrival at man u .more different players have been brought in even before him,even before transfer window closes ,he got 3 more players he wanted now its time for him to deliver the results and have confidence and trust in his players .he has quality players and what he needs to do , is to use them in a right formation. what kind of players does he wants other than those in the team? the only problem is lack of confidence in his players and football is competition, every team wants to win ,if he win ,he doesn't complain ,but if he loses,just one game he starts critising his players. it's not bad to blame or criticise. but how you do it. and he should learn to accept defeat. let him be like other coaches eg klopp , pep. even if they loses they can smile and congrats there players .