Manchester United are demanding their club ambassadors stop criticising manager Jose Mourinho.

The Mirror says it's understood club officials told former stars who mingle with guests in the hospitality lounges at Old Trafford not to publicly attack Mourinho when they address fans.

With speculation mounting before the international break that Mourinho's future was on the line after a disappointing start to the season United are sensitive about negative comments from within the club.

And before the last home game with Newcastle – which United won 3-2 having been 2-0 down inside 20 minutes – the club's raft of former stars were ordered not to hammer Mourinho.

United's premium hospitality areas are serviced by title-winning stars like Bryan Robson, Denis Irwin, Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ji-Sung Park and Gary Pallister.