Man Utd vs Valencia - Some of my players care more than others - Mourinho

Under-fire Jose Mourinho believes some of Manchester United’s players “care more than others” about their poor start to the season.

Trouble has never been far away from Old Trafford in recent months, with pressure increasing by the match as they lurch from one problem to another.

United are in desperate need of a shot in the arm against Valencia in Tuesday’s Champions League clash, given their draw against Wolves was compounded by a shock Carabao Cup exit to Derby and chastening loss to West Ham.

Saturday’s 3-1 defeat in east London made this the 20-time champions’ worst start to a league campaign since 1989-90, leading to increased talk about the manager’s future and his ability to steer the ship back into calm waters.

Questions over Mourinho’s relationship with star turn Paul Pogba continue to linger, as do the links to former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.

But ahead of Tuesday’s Group H match, Mourinho said: “No, I don’t think (my job is on the line).”

The smell of blood meant there was a heavier media presence than usual at Old Trafford, where the players will line-up on Tuesday fresh from their manager questioning the attitude of some of them.

Mourinho said some of his group looked upset after the West Ham defeat, but others did not “look like they lost a game” – a point he was pushed on and attempted to explain.

He said: “It’s like, sometimes what it looks (like) is exactly the opposite, if you understand what I am saying?

“You can be laughing and be the saddest person in the world and you can be with a very sad face and you can be a fantastic actor and inside of you, you are very happy, so sometimes what you see is not what you get.”

Pushed further on the squad’s attitude, Mourinho added: “I think that some care more than others.”

Mourinho refused to name names, but it was a striking comment at a time when his relationship with the group is under scrutiny more than ever before.

Mourinho will be without four players for Tuesday’s game, with Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo all unavailable.

Valencia forward Rodrigo and head coach Marcelino are wary of a wounded beast as they look to add to Mourinho’s misery.

Spain international Rodrigo said: “It’s a team that’s not used to going through situations like this, but also the way they’re made up they’ve got some great players, first-class players.

“I think everyone in football is here to win and I am sure they will want to turn the situation as soon as they can.

“I am sure they would start tomorrow by trying to beat us, so we have to be concentrated, focused.”

Marcelino echoed Rodrigo’s sentiments ahead of a Group H match that was presented to the Valencia head coach as a great time to win at Old Trafford.

“We’ll win if we play well,” he said. “Whether it’s the best or the worst moment to play them, who knows.

“A big club like this, a team like this, with a manager who is probably one of the most experienced in the world and some extraordinary footballers, with huge investment.

“One of the most important teams in the world in the best club competition in the world, can we expect that they don’t put in their maximum?

“There’s no way that the previous game you’ve played can have anything to do with this game coming up.”