Jose Mourinho insists that he is not solely to blame for Manchester United’s terrible start to season

The boss refused to name who else is at fault but claimed: “Sometimes things are not just in the manager’s hands.”

English newspaper The Sun revealed that furious Mourinho is at war with the board after being over-ruled on key decisions concerning the future of star players.

The Special One believes United are already planning for life without him after snubbing his recommendation to give new contracts to Juan Mata and Ander Herrera.

The club plan to offload the Spanish duo, who are in the final year of their deals, from the wage bill in the summer.

Mourinho, who faces a must-win home game against Newcastle today, is livid his assessment of players’ ability has been undermined once again by the bean counters.

The United chief complained bitterly in the summer when the board, led by chief executive Ed Woodward, failed to sign a top centre-back.

Now Mourinho fears his position as manager is so weak he is no longer able to convince the board which players to keep.

United are tenth in the Premier League, out of the Carabao Cup and winless in four games.

Club legend Paul Scholes is stunned Mourinho has survived this long and yesterday said: “I’m sick of him moaning.”

That grumpy mood had not changed yesterday. Asked why things are not working, the manager replied: “For many different reasons.”

Asked if he could say what those were, he replied: “No.”

Mourinho believes he is being let down by star signings like Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez.

A defeat to Newcastle and he could be gone, with United then having a two-week international break to find a successor or caretaker boss to the end of the season.