Jose Mourinho has been granted his wish of a formal assurance from Manchester United that his job is safe, with the club giving their blessing to a rare public statement from his all-powerful agent Jorge Mendes that there is no current prospect of a change at Old Trafford.

The United manager goes into Saturday’s game at Fulham with just three points from his last four league games and the club eighth in the table, 18 behind leaders Manchester City.

Once again he has experienced frustrations with gaining the public support of his club, as was the case three years ago at Chelsea.

United have been reluctant to make public pronouncements with vice-chairman Ed Woodward firmly of the belief that private assurances are sufficient.

The club are of the view that they do not have to respond to the current pessimism around Mourinho and his prospects at United and that any public support would simply be viewed as the traditional vote of confidence which is so often a prelude to a sacking.