Mourinho retains United support, board ‘encouraged’
Jose Mourinho retains the support of the Manchester United board, who are “encouraged” by the club’s recent performances.
United are sixth in the current Premier League table and have endured a relatively difficult start to life under the Portuguese’s management.
A 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday means they have won just two of their last 11 Premier League games, and a nine-point gap has already opened up to the top four places.
The 53-year-old has been forced to defend the club’s form by insisting that style is more important than substance at this point of his tenure, but the pressure is on after leaders Chelsea extended their lead over United to 13 points over the weekend.
According to the Daily Telegraph however, the United hierarchy remain convinced that Mourinho is the man for the job. James Ducker writes:
‘Jose Mourinho retains the steadfast support and patience of Manchester United’s hierarchy, who have been “encouraged” by the team’s improving style of play, despite worsening results consigning the club to their poorest start to a season for 26 years.
‘The Daily Telegraph understands that United’s powerbrokers firmly share Mourinho’s view that the Premier League table, in which the club lie sixth, 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea and nine behind fourth-placed Manchester City, does not offer an accurate reflection of the progress being made in performance terms.’
The article also includes quotes from a club source, who adds:
“The club have been encouraged by what they’re seeing in performance terms. There’s confidence results will improve as that performance level continues to improve.”