Manchester United fans choose Jose Mourinho as Louis van Gaal hangs by a thread

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are desperate for Jose Mourinho to take over at Old Trafford.

A 2-0 defeat at Anfield leaves United on the brink of a second European exit of the season.

Louis van Gaal

The Red Devils are also sixth in the Premier League and look unlikely to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Express Sport understands that should Louis van Gaal miss out on a top-four finish Mourinho expects to replace the Dutchman this summer.

And United fans have sent a clear message to the club about over who they want to replace the 64-year-old this summer.

Nearly half of 15,000 voters on fan opinion platform Forza Football chose Mourinho as their preferred replacement as Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino handed the Reds a 2-0 first-leg lead at Anfield on Thursday in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Current assistant boss Ryan Giggs, who took over when David Moyes was sacked in April 2014, was the choice of another 36%.

However, with Manchester City faltering in the league, United now have a realistic chance of securing fourth place despite their disappointing form.

And if they do sneak into the top four places then executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward would rather inject some stability into the club by sticking with the current incumbent.

But the decision would no doubt be unpopular with the Old Trafford regulars who have already expressed this displeasure with the side being booed off the pitch on more than one occasion.