Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho went into Saturday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle at Old Trafford with talk about his future rife.
The Daily Mirror on Friday evening had reported the Portuguese was set to be sacked this weekend irrespective of the outcome of the game – something denied on Saturday morning by senior figures at United.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at how things went for Mourinho as his side ended their run of four matches without a win in all competitions by coming from 2-0 down to beat the Magpies 3-2.
Tactics
Three changes from our midweek #UCL draw: @Youngy18 ? @Anto_V25@McTominay10 ? @Fellaini@AnthonyMartial ? @Alexis_Sanchez
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 6, 2018
Mourinho made three changes to his starting line-up, with Ashley Young coming in at right-back and assuming the captain’s armband in place of Antonio Valencia, who dropped out of the squad entirely, while Scott McTominay replaced Marouane Fellaini in midfield. Anthony Martial joined Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku in attack as he came in for Alexis Sanchez – it was only the second time this season that front three had started together. The manager spoke prior to the match about the incoming personnel bringing more energy into the team.
Substitutions
Juan Mata is coming on. It is the 18th minute…
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) October 6, 2018
The line-up was swiftly altered after the hosts made a shocking start to the contest and were 2-0 down by the 10th minute. A livid-looking Mourinho got players warming up on the sidelines and in the 19th minute brought on Juan Mata for Eric Bailly and moved McTominay into central defence. McTominay was then replaced by Fellaini at half-time with another midfielder, Nemanja Matic, going into the defence – while centre-half Victor Lindelof remained on the bench. Sanchez subsequently came on for Rashford in the 68th minute, two minutes before United’s comeback – capped by the Chilean’s 90th-minute winner – began with Mata netting from a free-kick.
The crowd
Demeanour
