Jose Mourinho still confident of Man United job for next season - sources
Jose Mourinho remains confident he will be the next Manchester United manager despite reports Louis van Gaal will stay on next season, sources close to the Portuguese have told ESPN FC.
Former Chelsea manager Mourinho is continuing to make transfer plans for what he believes is his next job at Old Trafford.
Reports emerged from the Netherlands on Tuesday that Van Gaal himself feels he will remain in the United job, despite so much pressure, and widespread expectation that he will leave in the summer.
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Sources close to the club have told ESPN FC that this likely reflects the internal politics at Old Trafford and the fact the Dutch coach has not been informed of any change, rather than any specific initiative to keep him.
While there remains an anti-Mourinho faction among the United hierarchy, the Portuguese's representatives have held extensive discussions with the club, and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has a close relationship with the coach's agent, Jorge Mendes.
The belief among those close to Mourinho is that he will be named United boss in the summer.
ESPN FC sources have said the Portuguese wants at least five new signings for United.
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Everton's John Stones are top of Mourinho's wishlist, but he has expressed approval to the idea of signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint-Germain should the possibility arise, and United have already initiated moves to bring in Renato Sanches from Benfica.
Miguel Delaney is a London-based correspondent for ESPN FC and also writes for the Irish Examiner and others. Follow him on Twitter @MiguelDelaney.
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