Gary Neville says it is ‘nonsense’ to suggest Jose Mourinho’s time as a top-level manager has come to an end.
Amid Manchester United ’s inconsistent start to the new season and reports of unrest within the club, questions have been asked of Mourinho’s Old Trafford future.
A breakdown in his relationship with Paul Pogba has been the subject of much debate, while his dealings with the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward have also been closely scrutinised, amid suggestions that the pair seen the summer at odds over transfers.
Eric Cantona recently claimed the Portuguese was the wrong appointment when hired in 2016, while others – former players and those in the media – have pored over whether the ex-Chelsea boss is a busted flush.
But Neville feels that Mourinho, with his experience at the top level and the trophies he has to his name, shouldn’t be written off.
“He’s having a difficult time, but finished? I genuinely think that’s a nonsense,” he told The Times.
“Even Sir Alex Ferguson, from 2003 to 2006 when we didn’t win the league and people said he had lost it, end of an era, he’s finished.
“I think Jose is a brilliant manager and, in a 25-year career, young managers will emerge, people will ask questions if you aren’t successful.
“Believe it or not I liked the Tottenham game (United lost 3-0), certainly the first 40 minutes. I watched [the win over] Burnley and thought it was really good. I think they’ve turned a corner.”
United finished last season in second place, but were 19 points off runaway winners City.
Now Mourinho – who won the League Cup and Europa League the previous year – is under pressure to mount a title challenge this term.
However, Neville believes that his former club, who are a 40/1 shot with most bookmakers to top the table come the end of the season, are likely to finish third or fourth.
“I’m still hopeful that somehow, through siege mentality more than anything, they can mount some sort of challenge that really just disrupts people,” he said.
“If they can stay in it until January and maybe get one or two defenders in, they might have a chance. But I doubt it. I think United will be third or fourth.”
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