Man United players stunned by Mourinho onslaught: Star to be dropped amid Watford backlash

The manager ripped into his United stars after their 3-1 defeat at Watford on Sunday.

The Red Devils’ third successive failing in a week has put the team in a mini-crisis, with United already six points off leaders and local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League table.

Mourinho was openly critical of left-back Luke Shaw after the England international was caught out of position for Watford’s second goal.

Although the defender, who spent the bulk of last season sidelined with a broken leg, was carrying a groin problem. After being hooked at Vicarage Road, he is now reportedly facing three weeks out.

And according to The Sun, Shaw and a number of United’s senior men were left stunned by Mourinho’s words after their latest defeat.

The boss now faces the prospect of having to reunite his dressing room, but he is apparently ready to make another bold move.

Captain Wayne Rooney will be dropped for United’s next Premier League encounter with Leicester on Saturday (12.30pm).

Manchester United have lost two of their opening five Premier League games this season

The No.10 has been in poor form at the start of the season and United fans have been calling for the 30-year-old to be left out.

Amid the sudden unrest at Old Trafford, a source told The Sun: “The mystique about Mourinho has gone — it just feels like another manager passing through.

"Fergie would never go public. He always kept it in-house.”

United's next test comes at League One side Northampton in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night (7.45pm).