Manchester United insist there is no truth to the rumours of a rift between Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward.
From the outside, there appears to be growing pressure on Mourinho after United experienced their worst start to a Premier League season in 26 years, losing two of their opening three games.
The unrest at Old Trafford seemingly started when Mourinho failed to get his top targets in the transfer window and reports in the French media claim that a disagreement over Anthony Martial’s future at the club is the main reason for the falling-out between the manager and executive vice-chairman.
The Guardian reports that while Woodward has been making more trips to the club’s training ground since the start of the season, sources are adamant that the relationship between Woodward and Mourinho is better than ever.
The report also states that Mourinho is so friendly with Woodward that he has been signing off text messages between the two by writing “kisses to the twins”, which would suggest that rumours of a bust-up are greatly exaggerated because such amiability is not the behaviour of a man who is furious with his superior.
Contrary to certain claims in the media, Sunday’s game against Burnley is not a must-win if Mourinho is to remain in charge.
The higher-ups at United were reportedly bemused by club legend Gary Neville’s comments on Woodward following the Red Devils’ defeat to Brighton two weeks ago.
“The CEO sat in his spot for two minutes after the game on Sunday in what I can only describe as something I don’t want to see the CEO of Manchester United do,” Neville said.
“At the end of the game, stand up, go and shake the opposition CEO’s hand, tell him well done and that you’ll see him later in the season, smile and be bigger than anything.
“All I could see was a show of frustration, or something that could also be interpreted as another show of dissent. At the moment there is definitely angst between the club and Jose.”
