Jose Mourinho longs for surprise United reunion and would ‘love’ to take the reins amid Erik ten Hag uncertainty

After last night’s humiliating defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, you can expect that Manchester United will continue to be linked with plenty of managers the longer Erik ten Hag is at the helm. 

The Red Devils are now on track to record their worst-ever Premier League finish. Currently, it stands at a seventh-placed finish on 64 points – a tally that is now unreachable for United given that they’re on 54 points with just three matches remaining. As well as that, the side’s goal difference looks deplorable at minus three.

Reports on Ten Hag’s future are often contradictory, with some claiming that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is willing to give the Dutchman more time and others stating that potential managerial candidates are being mulled over by the new co-owner and his hierarchy.

Mourinho longs for Old Trafford return

This has led to former boss Jose Mourinho seemingly throwing himself into the mix of a surprise Old Trafford return, almost six years on from when he was relieved of his duties by United in December 2018.

Across his two years in the dugout, the experienced coach led the Reds to success in the League Cup and Europa League, yet the culmination of his tenure left a sour taste as it was believed there were significant rifts in the dressing room towards the end of his reign.

Manchester Evening News today reported: “Jose Mourinho would love to manage Manchester United again, but the club does not want to reappoint the Portuguese. Mourinho has told confidants he would ‘walk’ to Manchester to manage United for a second time.

“The two-time Champions League winner is a friend of United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but Mourinho is not expecting an approach from his former club.”