Jose Mourinho believes he can deliver the title to Manchester United next season.
Louis van Gaal is on the brink of being sacked after United’s 1-0 loss to Southampton left them five points off the Barclays Premier League’s top four and 10 behind leaders Leicester.
Mourinho wants his next job to be at United with Sportsmail told the former Chelsea manager is ‘desperate’ for the Old Trafford hot seat.
His agent, Jorge Mendes, considers himself a ‘friend of the club’ and has been in regular touch with chief executive Ed Woodward.
He is believed to have contacted Woodward again after Saturday’s defeat – their sixth in the Premier League this season.
It was not intended to be seen as Mendes asking for Mourinho to get the job but rather a reminder that his client is available and interested, should the club decide to sack Van Gaal.
Among the assurances made by Mendes was that Mourinho believes he could win the title in his first season at United.
It was claimed on Saturday night that Mourinho sent a six-page letter to United but a club insider told Sportsmail: ‘Jorge is a friend of United and would have contacted officials personally, by email or even text.
‘These relationships are very personal. It would not have been the first conversation of that nature this season.’
The United board are said to be apprehensive about his off-field antics but Mourinho is willing to meet them halfway. They want him to curb his controversial behaviour and the 52-year-old is happy to oblige.
DM