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Manchester United have made contact with an intermediary of Jose Mourinho about the possibility of the Portuguese coach replacing Louis van Gaal, according to reports today.
The Independent understands that the former Chelsea manager is targeting the manager's job at Old Trafford. We revealed that he had already turned down an offer from Roma , and other clubs, in the hope that he will soon be appointed at Manchester United.
Current United boss Van Gaal has two games to save his job - the Christmas fixtures against Stoke City and Chelsea. Should the Dutchman oversee a loss in either of those games, he will be axed, opening the way for Mourinho.
According to The Sun , United spoke to the intermediary of Mourinho's prior to Manchester United's defeat to Norwich on Saturday.
Having been sacked by Chelsea last week, Mourinho released a statement which indicated he would be keen on a role at Manchester United. It said that the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach was not in need of a sabbatical, would remain living in England and was keen to return to management quickly.
Show all 22 1 /22Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings <b>Manchester United:</b> David De Gea - 5 out of 10 Should have done better when faced with Jerome as he went down too early to allow the striker to lift the ball over his head. Left stranded for the second as Tettey slotted the ball beyond him. Strong save down to his left denied replacement Youssef Mulumbu.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Ashley Young - 5 out of 10 Cross into the middle caused panic among Norwich’s defence and allowed Martial to rifle the ball high into the net, but he was at fault for allowing Tettey to get away from him for the second goal.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Phil Jones - 4 out of 10 Looked lost at sea when Tettey broke through to score the second after Young allowed him space, and his lack of football of late showed.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Chris Smalling - 5 out of 10 Went into attack in injury time in a desperate search of goals but only conceded a free-kick when faced with a good chance to head in. Poor in defence and didn’t look comfortable alongside Jones, and to make matters worse he missed an even better chance when he headed wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Daley Blind - 5 out of 10 Switched to left-back as Phil Jones came into the defence, which seemed odd given how reliable United have been at the back. Struggled to cope with the pace of Redmond and looked exposed on the counter attack.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Michael Carrick – 5 out of 10 Tried to release Depay and Martial out wide but they were unable to make any in-roads towards goal. Given little to work with and was fairly average when Norwich had the ball.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Marouane Fellaini - 4 out of 10 Completely ineffectual in the first-half and he offered no protection to the back four whatsoever as he recklessly rampaged forwards. Replaced on the hour by Ander Herrera.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Memphis Depay - 6 out of 10 Looked to have a tap-in had it not been for some excellent defending from Russell Martin. Lacked the finishing touch and seemed to take a lot of the frustration from the United fans.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Juan Mata - 5 out of 10 Wasteful cross early in the second-half summed up his performance as it went out for a throw. His drop in form has coincided with United’s six games winless streak, and his only chance at goal saw a free-kick punched clear.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Anthony Martial - 7 out of 10 Reacted first to bury the ball into the roof of the net to give United hope. Looked the most liveliest of United’s forwards but was unable to create anything of note in the closing stages.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Wayne Rooney - 5 out of 10 Had the ball in the back of the net early only to see the offside flag go up against Fellaini. Appetising ball from the right nearly found Depay on the last man. Attempted to replicate his overhead bicycle kickbut put the ball over.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings <b>Norwich:</b> Declan Rudd - 6 out of 10 Little he could do to stop Martial’s effort from close range, but he was quickly down to his left to deny Mata’s free-kick and punch to safety. Rushed off his line to put Smalling off late on.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Russell Martin - 7 out of 10 Important block robbed Depay of a goalscoring chance, and he coped well given Martial and Depay were alternating wings to try and expose him on the right.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Ryan Bennett - 6 out of 10 Looked assured as he came into the side in place of Andre Wisdom, and gave Rooney little time to work with.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Sebastien Bassong - 6 out of 10 Easily outmuscled Mata when the Spaniard was chasing a through ball. Hardly put a foot wrong, and can be pleased with his performance after a commanding display.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Martin Olsson - 5 out of 10 Failed to close down Young before he delivered the cross that led to Martial’s effort, but made amends when he made an important challenge to deny Depay.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Nathan Redmond - 7 out of 10 Broke free on the counter to trigger the move that led to Jerome’s opener. Had a similar chance to run free in the second-half, though his cross to Tettey was too high and stopped the move.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Gary O'Neil - 6 out of 10 Tried to bring an element of control to the Norwich midfield, but he was forced from the field with what looked to be a suspicious hamstring injury with 81 minutes gone. Replaced by Youssef Mulumbu who had a late chance saved by De Gea.
2015 Manchester United FC
Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Alexander Tettey - 7 out of 10 Calmly slid the ball past a motionless De Gea to double the lead. Looked to burst forward when United were exposed, but remain disciplined enough to sit back when his defence needed him.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Robbie Brady - 5 out of 10 Booked for a foul on Mata as the United midfielder beat him to the ball. Conceded a second foul on Young that led to Rooney’s overhead-kick chance. Risked being sent-off, but managed to stay on the right side of the referee for the remainder of the game.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Wes Hoolahan - 6 out of 10 Slightly starved of ball though he started to see more action in the second half. Replaced by Jonny Howson after 65 minutes.
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Manchester United vs Norwich player ratings Cameron Jerome - 7 out of 10 Calmly slotted the ball above De Gea to give Norwich the lead, and seized his one and only real chance in front of goal to show a clinical finish that deserted him last weekend. Replaced by Dieumerci Mbokani with 10 minutes remaining.
2015 Manchester United FC
5 games that cost Mourinho his job
Manchester United are currently fifth in the Premier League - nine points behind league leaders Leicester.
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