In what has been a tumultuous number of weeks for some of Manchester United's playing personnel, it has been claimed that Ed Woodward will be siding with Jose Mourinho in the event of more unrest.
Of those that have fallen foul of the Portuguese this season, United's record-signing Paul Pogba is the most notable example.
Although it is difficult to pin-point what kind of issue arose between the two, Mourinho made his thoughts on the Frenchman's performances perfectly clear to see in recent weeks.
Thought of as United's most talismanic attacking threat, the decision to substitute Pogba off as United trailed Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United was compounded by Mourinho's decision to drop Pogba for the intervening fixture against Huddersfield Town.
Having only resorted to introducing Pogba to United's Champions League last-16 tie against Sevilla after Ander Herrera went off injured, the Independent have reported that Mourinho's word is law at United for the time being:
The Manchester United hierarchy are “completely” behind Jose Mourinho’s man-management of situations like with Paul Pogba and the rest of his squad, and it will be a case of “the boss’s way or out”
Recently extending his contract until 2020, this initial example of the board's trust will not stop there; be it in Manchester United's transfer dealings, or dealing with belligerent squad members.
While it would appear that Pogba's global appeal should make him an indispensable asset for the club, Woodward is sticking by a manager he is suitably convinced by:
Woodward is said to be totally convinced of Mourinho’s approach.
The Portuguese plans more changes to his team in the summer, and sees Nemanja Matic’s attitude as an example to the rest of the United squad. He views the Serbian’s responsible and disciplined mindset as a requirement for any summer targets.
Having had a mixed start to his Manchester United career (no more so than his midfield partner Pogba), it is no great surprise that Mourinho holds Matic in such high regard given his general passion for the cause; whatever that may be.
