A number of Manchester United players have reportedly been left stunned by Jose Mourinho's distant and hands-off approach.

It has been claimed by The Times that the former Chelsea boss tends to give his assistant coach Rui Faria the responsibility of running training sessions.

The 53-year-old is understood to address the team at the start of each session on the training pitch before stepping back and either watching from a distance or returning to his office.

According to the newspaper, a source close to a United player has claimed that some individuals in the squad are surprised and unhappy by Mourinho's approach and would prefer to have a closer relationship with the manager.

The Red Devils are currently seventh in the Premier League table, six points adrift of the top three.

Mourinho's men take on local rivals Manchester City on Wednesday in the EFL Cup, and they head into the showdown at Old Trafford on the back of a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League.

Written by
Danielle Joynson