Jose Mourinho: Former Chelsea boss has not been approached by Manchester United says Jorge Mendes

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has not spoken to Manchester United about replacing Louis van Gaal, according to his agent Jorge Mendes. Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea last week, has been linked with the Old Trafford hot seat, with current incumbent Van Gaal under severe pressure following a six-match winless run.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach was booed off by United fans after a 2-1 loss at home against Norwich City on 19 December, while sections of the Old Trafford support could be heard chanting Mourinho's name.

However, Mendes denied that United had approached Mourinho behind Van Gaal's back. "There is nothing. We don't know what will happen in the future, but now there is no agreement," Mendes was quoted as saying by the Guardian. "There isn't an official proposal either, that's not true."

Rising pressure

Van Gaal admitted that his job would be under scrutiny following the Norwich defeat, which left the Red Devils outside the Champions League spots in fifth place. United are also out of the Champions League after they lost their final group match against Wolfsburg, and were eliminated from the League Cup by Championship side Middlesbrough in October.

The Guardian claimed that while United are aware of Mourinho's trophy-winning pedigree, at least one of the key decision-makers in the hierarchy is against the idea of appointing the Portuguese coach.

In 2013, Spanish journalist Diego Torres claimed Mourinho, then head coach at Real Madrid, had broken down in tears at the news that David Moyes had been chosen to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as United manager.

Legendary United player Sir Bobby Charlton said of Mourinho in 2012: "[He] is a really good coach but that's as far as I would go really. He pontificates too much for my liking. He's a good manager, though."

Struggling United travel to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City on Boxing Day and host Chelsea at Old Trafford two days later.