Ed Woodward is facing a huge dilemma over Jose Mourinho’s future, with the Manchester United executive vice-chairman reluctant to sack the manager but fearful his hand could be forced against his will if the club’s season continues to implode.

Mourinho is facing a huge week after Saturday’s shambolic 3-1 defeat at West Ham, which defender Luke Shaw described as “horrendous” and “awful”, piled on the pressure ahead of the Champions League game against Valencia on Tuesday and the visit of Newcastle four days later.

Staff at Old Trafford are increasingly convinced it is a case of when, not if, Mourinho is sacked and it is thought Zinedine Zidane, who is a free agent after leaving Real Madrid in May, believes he could be offered the job if the Portuguese goes.

But Woodward – who will determine Mourinho’s fate – has been desperate to avoid a change during the season, not least given the complications around the appointment of any potential successor.

He would prefer not to have to find a short-term replacement, even if that may be unavoidable if primary, longer-term targets are out of reach for now, while some readily available candidates may be less enamoured by the prospect of a stopgap role.