It's 'chaos' behind the scenes at Manchester United says Alan Shearer
The Brighton defeat saw odds on Mourinho leaving tumble as United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and key midfielder Paul Pogba came under scrutiny
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Alan Shearer has labelled the current situation at Manchester United as "chaos" as speculation over Jose Mourinho's long-term future at the club continues to mount.
The opening-night Premier League win against Leicester only masked pre-season problems, with last weekend's 3-2 loss at Brighton exposing underlying issues.
The defeat saw odds on Mourinho leaving tumble as United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and key midfielder Paul Pogba came under scrutiny.
And Shearer believes that such a scenario should never have been allowed to escalate this far.
"It was inevitable that dominance would decline once Sir Alex Ferguson lifted the Premier League in his final season,' Shearer told The Sun. "There has been no real title challenge and now, just two games into the season, it seems there is chaos behind the scenes and a total lack of leadership from the top.
"At arguably the biggest club in the world, the executive vice-chairman, one of the best managers in the game and a star-studded array of players are simply not pulling in the same direction.
"This sort of public shambles would never have been allowed to happen under Fergie and David Gill. It was the United way or you were out."
Mourinho's uncomfortable week continued during a tetchy press conference previewing Monday's Premier League with Tottenham on Friday. The United manager was brusque throughout and, perhaps tellingly, rejected the chance to back his squad.
Asked if he was content with the United squad is and where they are in terms of fitness, Mourinho retorted: "You know my answer."
The Portuguese made frustrations clear over the summer about the lack of players he had available in the summer, when the fitness and attitude of some players came into question.
Mourinho was also vocal about his need to sign a fourth player, but United were unable to bring in the centre-back he craved.
"You know, you know my answer," the United boss said when again asked about his happiness with the squad, before nodding towards media coverage he just claimed that he had ignored.
"I do not need to answer because you know my answer," Mourinho said. "I do not even know sometimes why I am here because you know everything. During the week it looks like you show that you know everything and then I come here and you ask me questions. It's a bit strange."
Mourinho was unwilling to give much away ahead of Monday's match.
The Portuguese would not talk about Spurs and their summer, nor would he touch upon the achievement of finishing runner-up despite having done so recently.
The only subject Mourinho really opened up about was how United's fans remained supportive of him and the team as they rocked in Brighton.
"The supporters were fantastic in both matches," he said. "Not for me, for the team, which is the only thing that matters.
"In my career I was never selfish, never thinking about myself, I was always a club man and that's what I am. So, I am really happy when the supporters support the team.
"Against Leicester, you can say in a normal situation because the team was playing well and was winning. To be supportive of the team against Brighton, where we didn't play well and lost the match, it gives you a fantastic feeling.
"I hope that feeling, the players also feel it and the players are ready to give them everything they have."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments