Manchester United's hierarchy reportedly feel that manager Jose Mourinho has "overstepped the mark" with his treatment of full-back Luke Shaw.
The broken relationship between the two reached a new low on Saturday as the England international was hauled off midway through the FA Cup tie with Brighton & Hove Albion.
More public criticism from Mourinho followed at full time which, according to reports in the English press, has left Shaw's teammates "shocked" at the bullying tactics.
A separate report in The Telegraph now indicates that Red Devils chiefs are becoming increasingly "frustrated" by the public humiliation as they fear the 22-year-old's valuation will massively decrease ahead of the summer.
Players and staff are said to be siding with Shaw, who is understood to be weighing up his future at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season.