Jose Mourinho has reportedly told close associates that he will take charge of Manchester United at the end of the season.

The 53-year-old has been strongly linked with the Old Trafford post ever since he was sacked by Chelsea for a second time in December.

Current United boss Louis van Gaal, who is contracted to the club until July 2017, recently rubbished the idea that United had held discussions with Mourinho.

However, The Mirror and Daily Mail have both claimed that the Portuguese coach is so confident he will be in the United dugout at the start of the 2016-17 campaign that he is informing those close to him that it is a done deal.

United have so far refused to comment on the suggestion that they have opened up talks with Mourinho.