Jose Mourinho spotted in talks with long-time assistant as Man United move edges ever closer

Jose Mourinho makes a gesture

The Portuguese, who was joined by long-time assistant Rui Faria, is set to land a three-year £15m per season deal to replace Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford

Jose Mourinho has been spotted in London with his trusted assistant Rui Faria as his long-anticipated move to Manchester United edges ever closer.

The Portuguese is set to land a three-year, £15million-a-season deal to replace Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford this summer.

The bumper package awaiting former Chelsea boss Mourinho at Old Trafford will put him on a par with old foe Pep Guardiola , who will join rivals Manchester City at the end of the season.

Mourinho was joined near his home in London on Thursday by long-time right-hand man Faria, who would be likely to join him as part of his Red Devils backroom team.

Personal terms are understood to have been agreed in principle with Mourinho, who is also keen to bring in highly-rated Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta.

Italian Berta is understood to be a close friend of Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

His arrival at Old Trafford would see the job of signing players moved from executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to him.

United have so far claimed they will not be looking to appoint a director of football, but Mourinho is keen to have the freedom to overhaul the squad and has already spelled out his potential summer targets to the club.

It would relieve Woodward of responsibility for securing the signatures of transfer targets, freeing him up to concentrate on the commercial side of United's operations.

Louis van Gaal has admitted last night that he doesn't know whether Manchester United have spoken to Jose Mourinho, in an interview with the Independen t, but added: "If they are thinking that they want to replace me, they have to prepare and they have to enquire."