Jose Mourinho is demanding the public backing of Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward before Saturday's Old Trafford clash with Newcastle, sources have told ESPN FC, in a move which extends to a "back me or sack me" plea amid reports that he will be dismissed as manager after the game regardless of the result.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Mourinho has been pushing for a show of support from Woodward and the Glazer family, United's owners, in recent weeks, with further efforts made this week to prompt them into a public statement of their backing.
Mourinho goes into the Premier League fixture with United searching for a first home win in all competitions since the opening weekend of the season -- a run that has put the 55-year-old's job on the line at the club.