Mourinho outlines his Man Utd plan - 'I want to win'

Is Mourinho agent behind De Gea threat to quit Man Utd?

17 May

The politics at Old Trafford could rival that of Game of Thrones this summer after David de Gea got the ball rolling by hinting that he might leave Manchester United if Louis van Gaal remains manager next season.

Van Gaal's future is already in doubt after United failed to qualify for the Champions League, and with Jose Mourinho waiting in the wings, De Gea's pronouncement seems like an act of war.

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"The Spain goalkeeper has grown disenchanted with life under the Dutchman, despite signing a new four-year contract at the start of the season," says the Daily Mail. A move to Real Madrid last summer collapsed at the last minute but the paper notes that the Spanish giants are circling once again and could activate a £40m release clause in his contract if they make an offer before 16 June.

That gives United just one month to appease their goalkeeper, who has been the club's player of the season for the past three years.

Tellingly, De Gea and Jose Mourinho are represented by the same agent, Jorge Mendes, and The Guardian says "their prospects of retaining the goalkeeper may rest on appointing the Portuguese".

If that seems like something close to blackmail, United are in a similar quandary when it comes to Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

He will leave the French club this summer and has been tipped to bring some much-needed glamour to the United team. But as ESPN notes "the question of who is United manager going into next season is also likely to influence whether or not Ibrahimovic elects to join".

The Swedish striker, known for his egotistical manner, does not get on with Van Gaal, and described him as a "dictator" in his autobiography, but he does get on well with Mourinho.

Despite the politics, Van Gaal remains confident that he will remain in charge next season and has been credited with pulling the plug on the deal to sign Portuguese youngster Renato Sanches. He is also represented by agent Mendes and signed for Bayern Munich last week.

'Lame duck' Van Gaal to stay at Man Utd after Sanches blow

11 May

With Manchester United's hopes of Champions League qualification hanging by a thread after defeat to West Ham and a key transfer target choosing not to join the club, the future of manager Louis van Gaal is once again under intense scrutiny.

However, he remains convinced he will be in charge next season, with the Daily Mail reporting that he personally pulled the plug on the deal for Renato Sanches, the Benfica teenager who signed for Bayern Munich this week.

The paper says the decision will not affect the situation at the club regarding the manager.

However, if Van Gaal did act against Sanches, then he will surely remain in charge. It would be "a surprising move" for Old Trafford to allow the manager to veto the deal "in the knowledge that a few months down the line they would be sacking the Dutchman", says James Ducker in the Daily Telegraph.

The Sanches deal is also seen as significant as the player has the same agent as Jose Mourinho, the man many expected to replace Van Gaal this summer. If Sanches is not impressed by United, perhaps the same goes for Mourinho.

However, with a top four league finish now unlikely, there is a groundswell of opinion against Van Gaal's continued tenure at Old Trafford.

Writing after the defeat to West Ham, Henry Winter of The Times says: "He surely cannot last much longer after this, even if United do go on to lift the FA Cup... Van Gaal is responsible for this tame end to the season."

It has been a season "of almost uniform drudgery and disappointing results", says Ducker in the Telegraph, who describes Van Gaal as a "lame duck".

He adds: "While there are plenty who have serious misgivings about the prospect of Jose Mourinho taking over, there is recognition that it is a much more appealing thought than another 12 months of [Van Gaal]."

In two years, Van Gaal has spent £285m, continues the journalist, and wasted most of it. During his reign, he has "left spectators and sponsors bored with his anaemic, cautious football and been bailed out by a batch of youngsters because he didn't sign the right players in the right positions, sold others and has failed to address the club's perennial injury problems".

Man United miss out on Sanches - is Jose Mourinho deal off?

10 May

Jose Mourinho's widely expected move to Manchester United may be off after Bayern Munich beat the Premier League club to sign of Benfica teenager Renato Sanches.

The move has political repercussions as well as footballing ones, says the Daily Mail, as both Sanches and Mourinho are represented by agent Jorge Mendes and United had been confident they would land the youngster. Now it appears they will miss out on both.

"Widespread reports on the continent last month suggested United would land Sanches if they replaced Louis van Gaal with Mourinho," says the Daily Star. But if Mendes has advised the player to move to Munich rather than Manchester, then logic dictates that his other client, Mourinho, is unlikely to be in charge at Old Trafford next season.

That would appear to be good news for current United boss Van Gaal, who is now in a position to guide the team to fourth in the league and pick up some silverware, after salvaging a season that appeared to be going off the rails five months ago.

"Should Van Gaal pick up the six points he requires to return United to the top table in European football, his argument for staying on would be stronger than ever," says Paul Hirst of The Times.

"He would point out that he has succeeded where Chelsea, Liverpool and City have failed, and there remains a good chance that United will lift the FA Cup for the first time in 12 years."

Manchester United's history fails to convince Jose Mourinho

3 May

Jose Mourinho wants assurances from Manchester United about the stability of the Old Trafford hierarchy before he agrees to take over from present manager Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho has been linked with the United job for months and there have been rumours of deals, but "nothing has been agreed", reports the Daily Telegraph, which goes on to suggest the Portuguese is still undecided over whether he wants the job.

He "will apply the usual due diligence" to any offer from United before accepting the job and appears to have sent a veiled warning to the club, adds the paper.

"United's history is not a factor in his decision, as was the case in all his big moves since he began management with Benfica in 2000," it says. "His sole focus will be the current-day organisation and personnel at the club and how well suited they are to success on the pitch."

However, the paper, which has a detailed understanding of Mourinho's mindset, says he will make a decision on his future this week.

Reports in Ireland suggest Mourinho will plump for United and that he hopes to win over any doubters by offering Gary Neville or Ryan Giggs a role on his staff.

Giggs is understood to want the manager's job himself and there are fears he will leave the club if he is overlooked. But according to the Sunday World, "the offer to work alongside the highly decorated Mourinho and continue his enduring association with United might be too tempting to turn down".

Alternatively, Mourinho could turn to Neville, whose presence "would excite United fans and also encourage senior club officials who remain unconvinced that the former Chelsea boss would uphold the traditions of the club if he takes over", says the tabloid.

Man Utd could move for Pochettino if Mourinho falls through

20 April

Mauricio Pochettino's refusal to sign a new deal at Tottenham Hotspur before the end of the season has led to fears at the club that he could be lured to Manchester United if their move for Jose Mourinho falls through.

Mourinho is widely expected to take over at Old Trafford next season but the club have remained tight-lipped on the future of current manager Louis van Gaal, promoting reports that the Portuguese is getting fed up with waiting for his coronation.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that French champions Paris Saint-Germain could try to hijack United's deal for the manager. If the move does collapse, then the Red Devils would be left in a difficult position.

While Van Gaal wants to continue, he does not have the support of the fans and is unlikely to stay. In that case, United could appoint his assistant, Ryan Giggs, who came a distant second to Mourinho in a fans' vote on a manager in the Manchester Evening News, or look for an alternative.

In that situation, Pochettino would be the obvious candidate - and he has been linked with the role in the past .

"Spurs have been waiting for weeks for their manager to put pen to paper on a five-year contract extension worth £5m a year plus bonuses," says The Sun. "Club chiefs believe Pochettino, 44, is likely to sign his contract but the wait is making them edgy. They want to get their highly-rated manager's future tied down as soon as possible, with Barcelona another potential suitor."

The paper adds that the Spurs coach has also been touted as a future Real Madrid coach.

But not everyone is convinced. The tabloid's own pundit, Ian Wright, told Sun Goals podcast there was "no way" the Spurs manager would leave White Hart Lane.

"If Pochettino leaves Spurs to go to Man United in the summer, every show that I have to do next season, I'll do it naked," he threatened.

Man Utd face Jose Mourinho fight as PSG move for manager

19 April

Manchester City's defeat of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League could have major ramifications for their neighbours at Old Trafford, after it was claimed the French club has approached Jose Mourinho to take over as manager.

The Portuguese is widely expected to replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United this summer, but the Red Devils will now have to fight for his services and could be forced to stick with the Dutchman if they miss out.

PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has "grown frustrated at the club's lack of progress in Europe under Laurent Blanc", reports Sky Sports, which adds the Qatari businessman is an admirer of Mourinho: "Al-Khelaifi has tried to appoint the 53-year-old as manager twice before, and remains convinced the Portuguese is the man most likely to achieve the club's ambition of winning the Champions League."

And he could be swayed, says Sky. "Mourinho's preference is to wait until the end of the season and monitor any developments at Manchester United, although he does consider PSG a credible choice for his return to management."

The news comes after reports that Mourinho had agreed a deal with United, although the club have refused to comment on the managerial situation.

However, the speculation over PSG was met with short shrift in some circles.

The Manchester Evening News, which earlier this week reported Mourinho was convinced he would take over at Old Trafford, believes he will start as soon as the season ends.

United "have put back the renewal date for season ticket holders amid the likelihood Jose Mourinho will take over as manager in the summer", it reports.

"United supporters from different generations have insisted they will not renew for next season if Van Gaal remains in charge," adds the paper. But the change in date allows them to renew if Mourinho is appointed promptly.

Jose Mourinho close to Man Utd deal as Ferguson 'surrenders'

18 April

Jose Mourinho has agreed a three-year contract with Manchester United and will take over this summer, according to reports from Germany this weekend.

Current boss Louis van Gaal is still hoping to see out the final year of his contract, reports the Daily Telegraph, but the season has not gone well for him and "United are running out of time in their battle to finish in the top four", says the paper.

Victory over Aston Villa kept the Red Devils in the hunt for the Champions League, but they are still four points behind Arsenal. There is also the prospect of silverware in the FA Cup and United face Everton in the semi-final of the competition next weekend.

However, Mourinho "is increasingly confident" that he will get the job, says the Telegraph.

"Mourinho is known to have had a gentleman's agreement in place with United for the past few months although the precise details of that arrangement remain unclear," it adds.

"Van Gaal has not given up hope of seeing out the final year of his contract, but despite acknowledging the glut of injury problems the manager has had to contend with and his commitment to blooding youngsters, there is concern at the club about the poor results, dull, sterile football, lack of goals and failure to extract more from a squad that has had in excess of £250m invested in it."

One major stumbling block that Mourinho appears to have negotiated is the opposition of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who has championed coach Ryan Giggs for the role. Ferguson and Giggs have "surrendered", says the Manchester Evening News.

"Mourinho, who trounced Giggs in local polls among fanzines and on the MEN website on who should become the next United manager, was confident of seeing off the Welshman to replace Van Gaal as early as last month, despite aggressive support for Giggs among United greats," it says.

If Mourinho does take over, it could mean the end for Giggs after 28 years at Old Trafford, as the Portuguese is likely to bring in his own backroom staff.

Jose Mourinho demands Man Utd promise as Van Gaal hangs on

07 April

Manchester City have landed Pep Guardiola, Chelsea have got Antonio Conte, Arsenal are stuck with Arsene Wenger - and Manchester United have yet to decide who will lead them next season.

Jose Mourinho is widely expected to take over at Old Trafford this summer, but the former Real Madrid boss has demanded assurances that he will be offered the job. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is set to meet with Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward later this week to discuss the situation.

Meanwhile, current manager Louis van Gaal remains confident that he will still be in charge next term.

"Mourinho is understood to be 'rattled' by Louis van Gaal's admission he helped prepare the club's pre-season tour schedule in China and reports he is working on deals for potential signings in the summer transfer window," reports the Manchester Evening News.

Mendes will attempt to get to the bottom of the situation when he meets Woodward, says Metro, which claims Mourinho "now wants written confirmation his arrival".

European football writer Guillem Balague took to Twitter to suggest the Portuguese manager was favourite to get the job, but was unable to say if it was a done deal.

The latest "twist in the tail" is that Van Gaal has turned down an offer to become the Netherlands' director of football, reports the MEN.

The paper adds that an overwhelming majority of fans want Mourinho, with some supporters even welcoming defeats to arch-rivals Liverpool and Man City as they served to undermine the Dutchman.

"These really are bizarre unsettled times at Old Trafford. And the disorder and disquiet continues," MEN says.

To add to the confusion, the Daily Telegraph reports that Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could end up having a say in who is in charge at Old Trafford next season.

The player is expected to quit Paris Saint-Germain this summer and could move to Manchester. He "would consider a switch to Old Trafford this summer if Mourinho is in charge as the pair are close", says the paper, but would "not walk through the door" if Van Gaal is still at the helm on account of a feud dating back ten years, when they worked together at Ajax.

Jose Mourinho could reject Man Utd as Ferguson backs Van Gaal

01 April

If Manchester United fans thought that Jose Mourinho was a shoo-in for the Old Trafford job this summer, they may have to think again after former boss Alex Ferguson came out in support of under-fire manager Louis van Gaal, and it was claimed that Mourinho will turn his back on United unless he is offered the post before the end of the season.

Mourinho wants to start in his next job immediately after the end of the season in order to organise a transfer strategy before the window opens in July, says The Guardian. And that means United "have until the start of May" to make a formal approach.

However, that would mean telling Van Gaal that his time was up before the end of the season, potentially undermining United's push for a top four finish and the FA Cup.

So far United have refused to discuss the possibility of Mourinho taking over at Old Trafford. "This is partly a show of support to the Dutchman by [Ed] Woodward and the Glazer family, who own United, but it also suggests the executive is undecided regarding Mourinho's candidacy," says the paper.

It ads that Mourinho has been offered other jobs since leaving Chelsea, and has this week been linked with the Valencia job after Gary Neville was sacked by the Spanish club.

To confuse the issue further former United boss Alex Ferguson has given Van Gaal an apparent vote of confidence. "It is dead easy to be critical," he told Sky Sports. He pointed out that United had suffered badly with injuries this season and that many of the squad were in their first season at Old Trafford.

"You have to have some patience being a Manchester United fan and they have shown that over the years; in Matt Busby's time, in my time," he said.

However, many United fans are unhappy with Ferguson reports the Manchester Evening News, and believe his comments are "an attempt to prevent Jose Mourinho from becoming the club's manager".

Ferguson "is understood to be opposed to the club appointing Mourinho and would prefer Ryan Giggs to succeed Van Gaal", explains the paper.