Glenn Hoddle believes that Jose Mourinho has lost the support of his players at Manchester United and that their football is suffering as a result.
United are winless in their last four games in all competitions, being held to a 1-1 draw by newly-promoted Wolves at Old Trafford before being beaten 3-1 away at West Ham in the Premier League, leaving them in 10th place in the table after seven games.
They also exited the Carabao Cup on penalties at home to Championship side Derby and played out a goalless stalemate against Valencia in the Champions League last time out.
However, it is not just the results, but the quality of football on display that concerns Hoddle. United’s performances have been widely criticised since the start of the season, even in some games that they have won, and the pundit feels that the players look shackled.
“United look as though they are playing with chains on,” he told talkSPORT.
“To me, it seems 50 per cent of that group of players are not really chomping on the bit or enjoying their football.
“They’re not doing it for their manager.
“They should be doing it for themselves and the club, and if they like the manager and they do it for the manager as well that’s an added bonus, but I don’t see that at the moment.”
Amid the poor showings on the pitch, there have been unpleasant scenes off of it as well, with Mourinho’s falling out with star midfielder and record signing Paul Pogba widely publicised.
And the former England boss does not believe that the Portuguese can salvage the situation.
“I don’t see him turning it round," said Hoddle.
“United have got to think very deeply how they are going to deal with this. They don’t want to sack him – he’s just signed a new contract!"
The Red Devils host Newcastle in their next game on Saturday and Mourinho will be hoping to relieve some of the pressure with a win against his old rival Rafa Benitez.