Mourinho Decries Man-Hunt

By Max Wise

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho claims there is a clear ‘manhunt’ against him after his side came from two goals down to win 3-2 against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United fell behind to Kenedy and Yoshinori Muto’s early strikes in the first ten minutes, prompting Mourinho to make his first substitution in the 19th minute by sacrificing defender Eric Bailly with Juan Mata.

The Red Devils found their touch in the second half with three strikes in the last 20 minutes as Alex Sanchez grabbed the winner after Mata and Anthony Martial’s goals.

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United are having their worst ever Premier League start, with some quarters asking for the sack of the Portuguese trainer, and the Portuguese believes he is wrongfully targeted.

"I am 55 years old. It is the first time I see man-hunting. I can cope with it. I can live with it. Some of the boys, in spite of them not being the man that is hunted, they are not coping well with it. The way we started the game, they were panicking. Every ball into the box, even in some moments I thought we could score in our own goal. I go to London tonight, if it rains in London tomorrow, it's my fault. If there is a problem with Brexit, it's my fault."

"I have to be ready for all of this. I see a lot of wickedness and clear man-hunting, in football is too much. It is my life. It is a life I love and since I was the kid I work for this.

The Red Devils looked flat in the first half, but Mourinho effected two more changes in the second half to change the complexion of the game, and the gaffer was not amused with the performances of some of his charges.

“It is not easy for them [the players]. For me, it is not easy too but I think life is made of experiences. Some are new and some are deja vu.”

"Marcus Rashford was sad on the pitch, Scott McTominay was scared on the pitch. Even older players commit mistakes that are not normal.

"At half-time, we had a good conversation. We didn't promise that we would win the match. We promised we would give absolutely everything without any fear, without any pressure, just the pressure of giving everything and of course they gave everything.”

"We fought so much. They deserve it even if the game ends 2-2. The feeling would be a positive feeling because nobody can promise to win matches."

United’s win over Newcastle was Mourinho’s 400th win as a manager, with 174 draws and 73 losses.