Talks: United could appoint Mourinho as their next manager in the summer

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.

Although United and Van Gaal denied claims the Dutchman offered to resign following the debacle against Southampton last month, the club is still open to the possibility of Mourinho managing at Old Trafford, despite opposition from influential members, the Manchester Evening News report.

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.

Woodward enjoys a warm relationship with Van Gaal and recently resisted dismissing him despite increasing pressure from supporters.

United's owners, the Glazer family, delegated Woodward with the task of handling David Moyes' successor and he is determined to remain loyal to Van Gaal, who revealed last week he receives a bottle of wine from Woodward whenever United beat top six opponents.

However, United could kick off at Chelsea on Sunday eight points adrift of the top four and the majority of supporters remain adamant there needs to be a change of manager.

Moyes' sacking was announced less than 48 hours after it became mathematically impossible for United to qualify for the Champions League two years ago.

In contrast to his warm rapport with Woodward, Van Gaal's relationship with Mendes is fraught. Mendes criticised Van Gaal's handling of Falcao and the Dutchman responded by saying the former nightclub owner's comments were 'unhelpful'.

Although he remains the most renowned agent in world football, Mendes is in desperate need of a coup.

His other managerial clients, Julen Lopetegui and Nuno Espirito Santo, were sacked by Porto and Valencia earlier this season and Monaco, for whom Mendes has orchestrated numerous transfers, trail Paris Saint-Germain by 24 points in Ligue 1.