Glazer family holding up Jose Mourinho’s move to Manchester United despite having deal agreed in principle

Reports in Spain are that Jose Mourinho’s prolonged move to Manchester United this summer is being held up by the club’s owners, the Glazer family.

The 52-year-old is believed to have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the Red Devils to replace Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford this summer.

The former Real Madrid boss has been out of work since he was sacked as Chelsea manager following a dismal start to their Premier League title defence this season.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is reluctant to sack Van Gaal just two years into his three-year reign but if the club miss out on Champions League football his hand will be forced.

Mourinho is, of course, a man in demand and United have agreed a deal in principle for him to take charge but Spanish radio station Cadena Cope claim that the club’s owners, the Glazer family, are stopping a deal from being signed.

Certain United directors are said to have reservations over hiring Mourinho and the board are believed to be split over whether the Portuguese boss is the right man for the club – but it is Woodward that will have the final say.