Manchester United have finally made their opening move to appoint Jose Mourinho in the past three days and the next week will be critical if they are to install him as Louis van Gaal’s successor at the end of the season.

Mourinho, sacked on Dec 17 by Chelsea, wants the job but he has made it clear that he will not simply take it on any terms. His two key requirements are that any new club demonstrate to him that there is stability at the top, a clear structure of command and stability – which is what he feels he was not afforded at Chelsea in the third season of his second spell.