Premier League: Jose Mourinho 'Shakes Hands' on Deal to Succeed Louis van Gaal at Manchester United

 

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has shaken hands on a deal to become Manchester United's next manager when Louis van Gaal leaves Old Trafford, according to ​Tuttomercatoweb.

   Mourinho has long coveted the job at United but was overlooked by the club in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, as then Everton manager David Moyes was handed the job in his place. Mourinho moved back to Chelsea shortly after Ferguson's announcement, but saw his second tenure at the club come to an end in December after a poor run of form.

United have been linked with several candidates to replace current boss Van Gaal recently though, with Mourinho appearing at the top of the list. It's now reported that he has an agreement to take over United whenever the club decide to part ways with their current boss - who is under increasing pressure in his role at Old Trafford.
   His current contract runs out in 2017, but reports over the last month have suggested that the club's hierarchy are considering his position. Van Gaal's United are currently five points off the Champions League places following the weekend defeat to Southampton.

While it's been speculated that Van Gaal has offered his resignation on two separate occasions - the latest coming at the weekend - the ​Mail report on Wednesday that Van Gaal now has no intention of walking away from the club of his own accord. 

Van Gaal returned to the club to take training on Tuesday after a couple of days off, and while his attitude appears to have changed his job is still at risk if poor form and poor performances continue. 

Current assistant manager Ryan Giggs is another candidate to succeed Van Gaal if he does leave, but United officials are worried that the Welshman will leave the club after 28 years of service if he's overlooked for the job this time around. 
   The ​Mirror report that Giggs is reluctant to be a number two again, and would not want to become a caretaker if Van Gaal is sacked before the season's end either - unless it leads to him getting the job permanently.