BBC pundit Chris Sutton believes Manchester United should consider the position of Jose Mourinho following their disappointing 3-1 derby defeat at the hands of Manchester City. The Red Devils had come into the game on the back of three successive league victories but their performance at the Etihad was far from impressive as they barely posed a threat to the home side.

Following the game, Sutton stressed that the Red Devils were truly outclassed in the encounter and there is already an enormous gap between them and their cross-town rivals. He added that the club should seriously assess the position of the Portuguese tactician and think twice before offering him a transfer budget for the New Year.

“United were outclassed. It was like watching Manchester versus Manchester reserves,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “There is an enormous gap between them and City, and things aren’t going to change unless they change the manager. Mourinho has been banging on about money but is United’s form this season acceptable on the back of last year.

“He’s been talking about how much City have spent but they have to catch Watford and Bournemouth first. And when you look at the signings he has made, how many have actually been a success? Has he spent the money well? I don’t think so. Why should the United board trust him to spend well in January?”

United are currently experiencing one of their worst seasons in the Premier League and what has been more concerning has been the defence which has struggled to keep up with any opposition. Barring the game at Burnley, United have leaked goals in every other encounter and they have been occasions where goalkeeper David de Gea has single-handedly saved their blushes.

As such, things are certainly not going on the right path for the Red Devils and a recent report from The Sun has indicated that Mourinho could be sacked, should the club fail to secure a top-four finish to the season. United are currently seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur while a further five behind league leaders Manchester City.