Manchester United hold extensive talks with Jose Mourinho over contract extension at Old Trafford

Mourinho will enter the final 12 months of his existing £12 million-a-year deal this summer but Telegraph Sport understands that detailed discussions have taken place with the Portuguese and his representatives over extending that contract.

It is thought talks accelerated last month, and will continue, with United committed to securing the longer-term future of the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager.

It is unclear at this stage what the length of any new contract would be. There is an option in Mourinho’s current deal to extend by a further year to June 2020.

Reports surfaced overnight that Mourinho was considering resigning as United manager at the end of the season amid reports he is spending increasingly less time in Manchester and of strains with the Old Trafford board over transfer plans.

However, United have taken Mourinho’s eagerness to discuss a contract extension over the past month as a sign of his desire to remain at the club.

More to follow