After a disappointing derby day defeat, reports emerging from within Manchester United suggest that a scapegoat for the the club's on-field issues has been identified - midfielder Nemanja Matic taking the brunt of the blame from his fellow teammates.
Seen as something of a coup when he signed from Chelsea in 2017, the Serbian midfielder has appeared somewhat less convincing in his appearances this season.
With United struggling defensively, The Times have reported that certain section of Matic's Manchester United teammates have begun questioning Jose Mourinho's perseverance with the former Chelsea man.
The relative downturn in his form was acutely captured as Manchester City secured their third, decisive goal in yesterday's derby win; Matic seemingly left unaware of the City goalscorer Ilkay Gundogan standing behind him.
Returning from the World Cup injured, Matic made his first Premier League start of the season in United's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of August.
Since then, with the exclusion of one game missed through suspension, Nemanja Matic has been ever present in Mourinho's team selections for league encounters.
According to reports, however, 'Mourinho's support of Matic has surprised some players and staff, who feel the midfielder is practically untouchable regardless of his form.'
The importance Jose Mourinho may or may not afford to such concerns is another thing entirely, however.
