Manchester United are not looking to appoint a director of football even if they are forced into a change of manager this summer.

There were reports at the weekend that United are lining up a move for Andrea Berta, currently working as sporting director at Atletico Madrid, in a reshuffle at Old Trafford.

But it’s understood the club are not currently considering changing the management structure to incorporate a director of football even if Louis van Gaal leaves his post before the end of his contract in 2017.

It was reported last week that United have started tentative talks with Jose Mourinho’s representatives about the possibility of taking over from the Dutchman at the end of the season.

United have refused to comment although Van Gaal fiercely denied the stories in his post-match press conference after the draw with Chelsea on Sunday.

Berta, who has worked at Parma and Genoa, is reported to be a close ally of Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

But United insist any stories linking the Italian with a move have not come from them.

As it stands, first-team manager Van Gaal reports directly to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who works closely with executive co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer and group managing director Richard Arnold.

Watch: Van Gaal rages at journalist after Chelsea match

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Former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, former chief executive David Gill and Sir Bobby Charlton all hold positions on the football board but are not directly involved in decisions relating to the manager or transfers.

A director of football is used to bridge the gap between the manager and the board but United insist it is not an appointment they are looking to make.

READ MORE: Why United should think about hiring a director of football