Football: Mourinho likely to be named United boss after FA Cup final, say UK, Spanish media

Jose Mourinho is set to be appointed as the new Manchester United manager following the FA Cup final. PHOTO: REUTERS

Jose Mourinho is set to be appointed as the new Manchester United manager following the FA Cup final on Saturday night, according to media reports in Britain and Spain.

Current United manager Louis van Gaal still has one year to go on his contract but it seems likely that the Dutchman will be heading out of Old Trafford even if he wins the club's only piece of silverware this season.

Spanish newspaper AS has reported that an announcement will be made shortly after United take on Crystal Palace at Wembley.

British media such as the Independent and the BBC have also picked up on the speculation, with word going around that Mourinho has already signed a three-year contract and that the announcement has been delayed due to the postponement of United's final Premier League match (against Bournemouth) and them having to play in the FA Cup final.

The former Chelsea manager had declared earlier this month that he would be in a new job for the start of the season. Apart from the United job - which he has shown an interest in since being sacked by Chelsea in December - he has also been linked to French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand welcomed the news, implying that van Gaal has failed.

"Beating Palace will add a bit of gloss to the end of the season but you still can't get away from the fact they haven't qualified for the Champions League. It's as simple as that," he told the Sun.

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