Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: Delay in appointment could see club miss out on former Chelsea manager

The club are understood to have held talks with the Portuguese coach about succeeding Louis van Gaal

Jose Mourinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United risk losing out on Jose Mourinho due to the lack of assurances they have given the Portuguese coach about him succeeding Louis van Gaal, according to reports.

The former Chelsea coach has held talks with the club about becoming the next Manchester United manager and the Independent understands that he is confident of doing so.

However, the Sunday Times claim that Mourinho is growing concerned at the uncertainty that remains, with the situation said to have "generated unease within Mourinho's camp".

Simultaneously Mourinho is reluctant to push for written or verbal assurances out of respect for Van Gaal, with whom he has a strong relationship.

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is keen for an orderly transition from Van Gaal to Mourinho, with the preference to make the change in the close season.

However continued concerns over the club's form, ingrained further by yesterday's 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, may force the club to act sooner.

The result left the club six points adrift of the top four positions having played a game more than those above them. With just 12 games of the season to go, their is a growing acceptance that Champions League qualification through the league is out of reach.