By Mirror:
Jose Mourinho will reportedly be sacked by Manchester United if he fails to guide the club into the top four, it is claimed.
The Portuguese watched his side slump to a derby defeat against Manchester City on Sunday to leave United 12 points behind the league leaders.
United are also seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham after a poor start to the season.
And according to The Sun, the Old Trafford club will take action in the summer if they don’t reach Europe’s premier compeititon.
United chiefs want Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino to replace Mourinho but are aware that luring the Argentinian to Manchester will prove difficult.
Pochettino recently signed a new deal and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has proved himself a tough negotiator.
Real Madrid have also been interested in him but will appoint Santiago Solari on a permanent basis after an impressive spell in caretaker charge.
On Sunday, David Silva’s early goal was added to by Sergio Aguero just minutes into the second half, only for Anthony Martial to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot and bring back memories of United’s famous comeback in April.
But Mourinho’s men were unable to stave off defeat at the Etihad Stadium, where substitute Ilkay Gundogan wrapped up a 3-1 win.
Defeat means United are as close to Cardiff in the relegation zone as league-leading City – a 12-point gap that was mentioned to Mourinho when asked whether their title hopes were over.
“I think we are not going to be relegated,” the United boss said brusquely, before offering an upbeat analysis of a game in which Martial’s penalty was their only shot on target and their goal difference went into negative figures.
“So, when I analyse the game today, I think the difference was, you can go for stats,” Mourinho said.
“That’s the way people that don’t understand football analyse football, is with stats.
“I don’t go for stats, I go for what I felt and I watch in the game and the game was there until minute 80-something.
“That’s the way people that don’t understand football analyse football, is with stats.
“I don’t go for stats, I go for what I felt and I watch in the game and the game was there until minute 80-something.
