Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: Frank Lampard predicts former Chelsea boss will return at 'big club'

Lampard thinks Mourinho could 'handle' the job at Old Trafford

Jose Mourinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Frank Lampard has predicted Jose Mourinho will return at a "big club" and if that club were to be Manchester United then his former manager could "handle a club like that".

Mourinho is being tipped to replace Louis van Gaal this summer, with some reports suggesting he has got as far as agreeing a £15m-a-year contract.

Lampard, who worked under Mourinho during the Portuguese manager's two spells at Chelsea, was asked by ITV's This Morning where his former boss might end up next.

Lampard said: "I don't know. I haven't spoken to him much. I spoke to him briefly when he left Chelsea.

"There's a bit of a merry-go-round of managers at the minute and I think he'll probably sit tight for a while and then will end up at a big club somewhere, because he's a great manager."

Frank Lampard (Sky Sports)

Asked whether that big club might be United, Lampard added: "I think it's a possibility.

"If Louis van Gaal goes on, which I think he's said he's going to leave at the end of the season at the latest, I think Mourinho's the type of manager that will certainly come into their thinking.

"He could certainly handle a club like that, that's what he's about."

Mourinho has publicly stated that he is keen to return to management as soon as possible.