Jose Mourinho demands Manchester United players meet his 'golden rules' ahead of Valencia clash

Mourinho sent a message to his players with his programme notes

Jose Mourinho used his programme notes to remind his Manchester United players of “golden rules” ahead of their Champions League meeting with Valencia.

United seek to end a winless run which stretched to three games following Saturday’s dismal 3-1 defeat away to West Ham.

Speculation over Mourinho’s future has intensified over the past few days, though the United manager claimed on Monday that he does not believe his job is on the line.

Mourinho has questioned the attitude of his players at late and appeared to warn his squad that they were in danger of ‘losing dignity’ ahead of Valencia’s visit.

“All of my life, I have followed certain golden rules,” he wrote in his regular programme notes.

“One of them is that a team can lose matches - that is just part of football - but the team must never, ever lose its dignity.

“The team must fight, work, compete, win duels, be humble, and then at the end of the game every player must be exhausted because of the hard work they have given for the club, for the fans.

Mourinho added: “That leads me to another pair of golden rules that must be followed: the team is always more important than the individual, and the crest on the chest is more important than the name on the back of the shirt.

“This is me. This is how I work. This is what I ask of my team, my group, my club.

"Tonight, as we welcome Marcelino, the Valencia players and their supporters to Old Trafford, we have to follow those golden rules.”

United’s last victory came in their opening Champions League Group H game, away to Young Boys a fortnight ago.