Jose Mourinho slashed to replace Van Gaal this month
Published:
Jose Mourinho could replace Louis van Gaal quicker than first thought after the Dutchman oversaw another Red Devils defeat at the weekend.
Mourinho was already the odds-on favourite to take over at Old Trafford this summer but after another lacklustre display in the 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Sunderland Ladbrokes have priced the Special One at just 5/1 to be unveiled this month.
However, while the Red Devils’ poor form could hasten the Portuguese manager’s appointment it seems unlikely he will be able to turn things around this season.
Should Mourinho take charge for the remainder of the campaign the bookmaker goes 10/1 that he is able to secure Champions League football via a top four finish and 25/1 a seat at the top table is earned through a Europa League triumph.
Should this prove to be the case Mourinho will face a rebuilding project in the summer and the player most likely to make way for new blood is Juan Mata.
The Spaniard was sold by Mourinho to United and it’s just 7/4 he is given the elbow once more, while it’s 7/2 that Mourinho plumps for a reunion with Chelsea stalwart John Terry.
James Curtis of Ladbrokes said: “We fully expected Jose to be unveiled at Old Trafford this summer but in the wake of United’s latest setback the Special One’s arrival could well be fast tracked.”
United are next in action on Thursday when they face Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.
The Red Devils are 4/6 favourites for the match and a comprehensive win could well be seen as a signal of intent by Van Gaal.
Lose though and it might just be Mourinho who takes charge for the second leg!
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
