Manchester United hold talks with Louis van Gaal’s replacement

Jose Mourinho shares a moment with Van Gaal's assistant Ryan Giggs

Mourinho has been out of a job since his sacking by Chelsea in December and United have been in touch with the Special One's representatives

Manchester United have held negotiations with Jose Mourinho's representatives about the possibility of him taking over as Old Trafford boss at the end of the season.

Louis van Gaal's contract runs until the end of the 2016-17 campaign but it appears likely he will leave in the summer, despite United having lost just one of their seven matches in all competitions since the turn of the year.

United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was taken aback by the news that Pep Guardiola has agreed to join City on a three-year deal and United have held talks with Mourinho, who they believe is the only man who can go toe-to-toe with City's incoming manager.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward tightened United's links with Mourinho's agent, GestiFute head Jorge Mendes, last season with the record signing of the super-agent's clients Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao's loan before David de Gea, also represented by Mendes, signed a new contract in September.

Woodward and Mendes' relationship is so cordial that Woodward arranged for Mendes' daughter to do work experience at Old Trafford two years ago.