Manchester United have been in contact with Jose Mourinho for some time and are targeting Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta, according to well-regarded Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Italian sports journalist reports that Mourinho is set to sign a deal to become the new United manager at the end of the season, with his preference to be taking over in the summer. Current manager Louis van Gaal remains in place and is likely to do so until the end of the season given Mourinho's preference, but denied all reports linking Mourinho with United before the Reds' fixture against Chelsea.
Mourinho will sign for United at end of season, says Di Marzio
Mourinho's former club are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League, which saw him sacked in late 2015 due to continually poor results. However, many United fans have been clamouring for the Portuguese manager with van Gaal losing the support of the fanbase due to poor results during the festive period.
Di Marzio also reveals that United are looking to appoint a sporting director, more commonly known as a Director of Football in England, alongside Mourinho. This would be a good move from the club, with business savvy Chief Executive Officer Edward Woodward struggling in footballing terms.
United want double signing, with sporting director Berta
United want to bring Andrea Berta to the club, having been a huge success in the Spanish capital with 2014 La Liga winners Atleti. Berta responded brilliantly to the exit of on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois a few years ago with the signing of unknown Jan Oblak.
Di Marzio reports that the 'the possibility that he will join Manchester United is concrete [and] he will give his answer in the next few weeks.'
Some United fans do not want Mourinho to join the club, but the story is beginning to look inevitable. Berta recently sold Jackson Martinez for a huge sum to China from Atleti, with super agent Jorge Mendes helping the deal go through. Mendes is also Mourinho's agent and has a very good relationship with United CEO Woodward, having signed Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao in 2014.