Man Utd make ‘opening’ Mourinho move, but LVG bullish

Mark Holmes
Jose Mourinho: Manchester United said to have made their move

Jose Mourinho: Manchester United said to have made their move

Manchester United are reported to have ‘made their opening move to appoint Jose Mourinho’ – but Louis van Gaal says he’s going nowhere.

Van Gaal’s future at Old Trafford has been the subject of speculation for the majority of the season, with reports on several occasions suggesting the Dutchman was set to be replaced by Mourinho.

Van Gaal will see the season out, however, and sees no reason to believe he will not still be in charge come the start of the 2016-17 campaign, claiming it was the club that pushed for him to sign a three-year contract in the first place.

Asked if he expected his reign to be as challenging as it has been, Van Gaal said: “Of course. I knew it would be like this. That’s why they hired me and we spoke about it.

“We always knew that the process would take three years. I wanted to sign only for two years. The club wanted me to sign for three years, not me. I signed for three years – so next year you will see me again.

“Every week for six months I have been ‘sacked’ – and yet I am still here. But this has happened to me at every club I have been at.”

Despite Van Gaal’s confidence, the Sunday Telegraph claims United have firmed up their interest in Mourinho in the past three days.

Mourinho wants the job but is said to have two requirements to put pen to paper – ‘that there is stability at the top, a clear structure of command’, and that he is appointed at the end of the season so he has the full summer to plan and shape his squad.

Mourinho may also have the option of taking over at Paris Saint-Germain and so will not take the United job on just any terms.