Mourinho closing in on Reds switch

JOSE Mourinho is closing in on a deal to become Manchester United manager as executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and agent Jorge Mendes continued negotiations today.

It is understood vice-chairman Woodward held talks with Mourinho's agent Mendes yesterday, with his appointment appearing a case of when rather than if after Sky reported this morning that personal terms had been agreed.

Louis van Gaal's turbulent two-year Old Trafford reign was brought to an end on Monday, just two days after leading the Red Devils to their first major trophy of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

STATEMENT

United confirmed they planned to announce Van Gaal's successor "soon" in the Monday statement confirming the widely-expected change in management. Mourinho's impending arrival has not been universally welcomed, though, as club great Eric Cantona believes Manchester City-bound Pep Guardiola would have been a better fit.

"I love Jose Mourinho, but in terms of the type of football he plays I don't think he is Manchester United," the Frenchman told the 'Guardian'.

"He can win with Manchester United. But do they expect that type of football, even if they win? I don't think so."

Cantona added: "Guardiola was the one to take.

"He is the spiritual son of Johan Cruyff. I would have loved to have seen him at United.

"He is in Manchester, but at the wrong one."

Cantona suggested he is open to one day returning to Old Trafford as manager, but it is the future of former team-mate Ryan Giggs that is of serious interest right now.

The position of United's most decorated player is uncertain, with reports suggesting the former winger is considering ending his near 29-year association with the club.

Press Association Sport understands Giggs has an offer to stay on at United, although it is unclear what that role would be having been assistant to Van Gaal.

Robbie Savage, who came through United's academy with Giggs and later played alongside him for Wales, believes the player with more appearances for the Red Devils than any other has been harshly treated.

"If I was Giggsy now I would look to start my career as a manager somewhere else," Savage said.

"If Giggsy can go out and make his own decisions now, do well somewhere, he can come back and the United job will be his."

No confirmation on the fate of the rest of Van Gaal's backroom team has yet been made, but it appears that assistant coaches Albert Stuivenberg and Frans Hoek, and performance analyst Max Reckers, have left.