Football news - Dimitar Berbatov says it's painful to watch Jose Mourinho's Manchester United

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United are without a win in four matches in all competitions and have played poorly throughout the opening two months of the season.

Off-field issues seem to be disrupting the squad, with numerous reports of fall-outs between players and the head coach.

And Berbatov, who left United in 2012 after winning two Premier League titles, said it's been touch to watch the goings on from the outside.

"I am not at Old Trafford any more, I am not at the training ground, I don't speak with the manager or the players, but looking from the outside, it's not good to see how they're performing right now," Berbatov said. As a former player it's painful because you want your team to win all the time."

However, Berbatov thinks the blame does not lie squarely at Mourinho's door, and believes that the modern player's increased power and ego makes life tough for coaches at high-profile clubs.

"I's not easy to be a manager these days dealing with all these players, all these egos, because big players have big power these days. 'm sure everyone at the club is doing everything they can to resolve this small crisis they are in. I still cannot imagine any Manchester United player not putting his all in to turn it around. Players want to enjoy their football and talk up their performances."

United were beaten 3-1 by West Ham United last weekend before playing out a goalless draw with Valencia in the Champions League, but 37-year-old Berbatov says the performances haven't been quite as bad as the results suggest.

"On the pitch I honestly think they want it so bad that they're trying too hard and it's not coming naturally. You could see the way they were running around against Valencia chasing and fighting to show how much they care. But too many players were over-complicating matters, taking too many touches. It will come eventually but until that moment arrives I think United must keep it simple and let it come to them.

Up next for United are Newcastle, with reports suggesting that Mourinho's job could be under threat if he fails to win that game.

But Berbatov believes United should get back to winning ways against the Magpies:

"But sometimes playing at home can be even more difficult than playing away," Beratov continued. "When you're not at your best, the stadium is full and the fans aren't happy, and things aren't happening on the pitch it can be a horrible experience. The other team are away from home, they don't care, anything they get from the game is a bonus. For you, the pitch gets smaller and smaller, the fans get on your back, you put even more pressure on yourself. Every mistake leads to another mistake and self-doubt because we are all humans and we start sabotaging ourselves! It happens to every team in football.

"Against Newcastle I hope United can get a goal in the first 15 minutes to give them self-belief, assurance and calmness on the ball. I saw it in the last game that they want to put on a show for each other and the fans.

"But Rafa Benitez will tell his players that now is the best time to play Manchester United and he will have spent the last week telling them that. aybe I am speaking with a bit of bias but I predict that United will win this, but it won't be easy and it will be close."