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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Mark Critchley

Jose Mourinho cries 'man hunt' after Manchester United's comeback against Newcastle

Jose Mourinho claims to have the backing of his Manchester United bosses ( Getty )

Jose Mourinho has claimed that nothing will stop what he perceives to be a "manhunt" against him and his Manchester United players.

United responded to reports that Mourinho could lose his job this weekend with a spectacular 3-2 comeback win over Rafael Benitez's Newcastle United.

Mourinho's Old Trafford tenure appeared to be in immediate danger when Newcastle capitalised on a dreadful start by United to go 2-0 up inside 10 minutes.

With 20 minutes remaining, Juan Mata's free-kick inspired an extraordinary comeback. Anthony Martial equalised before Alexis Sanchez's last-minute winner.

Mourinho accused the media of conducting a "man-hunt" against him and his players after the final whistle, at one point joking that he is even blamed for the British weather and Brexit.

“As a friend of mine was saying to me this morning, if tomorrow it rains in London it is my fault. If there is some difficulties with the agreements of Brexit, it is my fault," he told BT Sport.

“I have to be ready for all of this. I think a lot of wickedness and clear man-hunting, in football is too much. It is my life. It is life I love and since I was kid I work for this."

Mourinho added: "I am 55 years old. It is the first time I see man-hunting. I can cope with it. I can live with it.

"Some of the boys, in spite of them not being the man that is hunted, they are not coping well with it.

"The way we started game they were panicking. Every ball into the box, even in some moments I thought we could score in our own goal.

Juan Mata celebrates scoring United's first (Getty)

"It is not easy for them [the players]. For me it is not easy too but I think life is made of experiences. Some are new and some are deja vu."

Mourinho hinted at being disillusioned with modern football and claimed that a "wickedness" is now present in a game that should be "beautiful".

"This is new, it makes me not just a better manager but even a better person," he said.

"I understand things in the human nature nowadays and in the industry where I work, I used to love it, I still love it is but it is different.

"There is too much wickedness in something that should be beautiful. I cope with it with some sadness. I am a mature I am a big boy and I will deal with it."

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