Some players at Manchester United want the team to lose to get Jose Mourinho sacked, claims Paul Ince

Some players at Manchester United want the team to lose if it means that Jose Mourinho gets sacked, according to former midfielder Paul Ince.

United, who crashed out of the EFL Cup at home to Derby County, laboured to a goalless draw against Valencia in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday night as their poor form continued.

The Red Devils are enduring the worst start to a league campaign in 29 years after an embarrassing 3-1 loss at West Ham last weekend, and host Newcastle on Saturday.

Bad results and uninspired performances have been compounded by the escalating tensions between Mourinho and many of his players, chiefly star midfielder Paul Pogba.

And Ince - who won the Premier League title twice with United under Sir Alex Ferguson - believes some in the dressing room are happy to let this season spiral further out of control if it hastens Mourinho's departure.

"What I find disappointing is those players are happy for Mourinho to take the blame," Ince told Paddy Power News. "They should be admitting the fact that they are responsible for the way they're playing.

"They're throwing him under the bus, despite putting in poor performances every week. And they're getting away with it.

"Some players want Man United to get beat, just so that there’s pressure on Mourinho to be sacked. The amount of times that you see a new manager go to a club and suddenly, the whole team are up for it. You have to question the attitude of the players."

Former United assistant boss Ryan Giggs, who also had a brief spell as interim manager, has backed Mourinho should keep his job to help guide the club through a difficult period.

Ince, however, feels if United endure more misery against Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, Mourinho's position will become untenable.

"Mourinho's time is running out, United are no better off than they were before him," he added. "If they don't get a result against Newcastle this weekend, Mourinho is in real danger.

"He won't walk because that's not in his character. I hate the thought of Jose being sacked, but if you are not picking up results and there is this black cloud hanging around Old Trafford, your time as manager is running out.

"If they lose on Saturday evening, particularly if it's a bad loss, there will be a decision made on Mourinho's future very quickly.

"The signs are not looking good for him. The fact is, United are no better off than they were before Mourinho. In the past, you'd say United aren't the kind of club to just sack a manager, but it seems that is what they're like now."

Wales manager Giggs was at Old Trafford for Tuesday's Champions League tie, when boos greeted the final whistle.

The former winger, who spent over 25 years with the club and is the record appearance holder, said: "United are going through a tough time at the moment. But change now and you will be in the same position in a year or two years quite possibly."

"I believe that he [Mourinho] should keep his job. I think the problem of late [at United] has been forward planning."