Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: Portuguese 'meets up' with Inter Milan co-owner Massimo Moratti

The former Chelsea boss and assistant Rui Faria reportedly crossed paths with the Inter chief at the weekend

Jose Mourinho and Massimo Moratti celebrate Inter's Champions League triumph in 2010 (Getty)

Manchester United are reportedly at risk of missing out on Jose Mourinho with former club Internazionale weighing up the merits of re-appointing the Portuguese.

The ex-Chelsea manager, who the Independent on Sunday recently revealed is ‘confident’ of replacing Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, is said to be growing tired of the slow progress of negotiations.

Mourinho and long-term assistant Rui Faria met up with Inter co-owner Massimo Moratti at the weekend to discuss the prospect of replacing Roberto Mancini at the San Siro, according to the Sun. Despite an impressive start to the campaign, the Italian giants have slipped to fifth in Serie A, 12 points adrift of leaders Juventus.

Having already refused offers in China and Italy to hold out for the United post, it remains unclear how receptive Mourinho would be to the prospect of returning to the club where he won a famous treble, including the Champions League in 2010.

Accepting Moratti’s invitation could be interpreted as a mere courtesy to an old friend or as a sign the former Real Madrid manager is becoming impatient as he waits for the Red Devils to pull the trigger on Van Gaal.

The Dutchman admitted on Thursday night the fans were right to criticise his side’s performance after a dour 2-1 reverse in the Europa League round-of-32 meeting with Danish champions Midtjylland.

“The fans can criticise,” he said. “They can do it because when you see the second half, maybe they are right. We have to improve and then the fans shall support us again.

“All the players want to perform in an excellent way. It is not a case of attitude. We were not winning the second balls - that is my analysis.”

Moratti sold a 70% stake in Inter to Indonesian tycoon Erick Thohir in 2013 but, the report continues, he remains a highly influential figure in Milan and is pitching the idea of re-appointing Mourinho to his colleagues.