Mourinho reveals board backing after United’s stunning win over Newcastle

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed he had received a text message of support from the English giants’ board ahead of his team ’ s thrilling 3 -2 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday .
Speculation over Mourinho’ s position mounted before kick- off following United ’ s poor start to the season and , with his team trailing 2 – 0 inside 10 minutes , the Portuguese boss looked like he could be on his way out .

But Alexis Sanchez capped United ’ s incredible second -half comeback when he rose to meet Ashley Young ’ s cross and head in the winning goal in the final minute of the game .

Afterwards Mourinho admitted he needed an unofficial ‘ vote of confidence ’ from a board member , believed to be executive vice -chairman Ed Woodward , before the game to know he could discount a newspaper report that he would be sacked this weekend , regardless of the result against Premier League strugglers Newcastle .

“ The ones that read the papers , that are connected with social media , they thought maybe I had gone, ” said Mourinho.

“ If I hadn ’ t had an SMS from my board not to read ( the papers ) I would have been convinced too, ” he added .

But 10 minutes into the visit of lowly Newcastle perhaps even Woodward was re – thinking his position .

The visitors ’ goals resulted from appalling defending from a United side that has looked weak in that department all season , both coming from Newcastle throw – ins which would have been dealt with by an organised defence.

In the seventh minute , Ayoze Perez played a routine through- ball inside full- back Young and Kenedy easily beat him , for skill and pace , before finishing ruthlessly .

Barely three minutes later , it was Jonjo Shelvey who collected a throw – in , his cross beating Eric Bailly ’ s half – hearted attempt to clear and landing at the feet of Yoshinori Muto who evaded Young before turning to beat David De Gea .

Mourinho, who had sent Juan Mata on after just 19 minutes , sprinted down the tunnel at half – time and made further changes , bringing on Marouane Fellaini and playing Paul Pogba in a deeper role to have him see more of the ball .

– ‘Not about me ’ –

But Pogba ’ s early shot was only parried by Martin Dubravka, the ball falling to Nemanja Matic who somehow cleared the open goal from six yards with a miss which summed up United ’ s woes .

Mourinho’ s men , however , got back into the game with 20 minutes left when , after Anthony Martial was tripped on the edge of the box , Mata planted a magnificent free -kick past the Newcastle wall and into the corner of the net .

The comeback continued six minutes later when Martial received a header from Pogba , played a one – two with his French team mate featuring a clever Pogba back -heel , before scoring with a precise finish from 15 yards .

Sanchez’ s winner also saw United supporters , who had been muted in their backing for Mourinho to that point , sing his name out loud around Old Trafford .

“ I ’ m amazed by that but I don’ t want that , ” he said . “ If I could tell them please don’ t do it , I would say that . ”

The former Chelsea manager added : “ I think this is not about me , it is about the football club , the club they love and about the club we represent with all the honour and dignity but I ’ m amazed by that .

“ At half -time we were losing 2 – 0 and the fans were magnificent to the team . ”

AFP

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