Jose Mourinho was pictured leaving Manchester's Lowry Hotel on Wednesday morning – shortly after Paul Stretford, the agent of Wayne Rooney.

However, the pair's departure within minutes of each other was merely a coincidence and they did not hold talks over the future of the Manchester United captain.

The 31-year-old has started only 12 Premier League games under the Portuguese coach this season and continues to be linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho leaving the Lowry Hotel shortly after Wayne Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford (R)

Mourinho's side face Celta Vigo for a place in the Europa League final on Thursday evening

Everton has been touted as a possible destination for the England international, while he has also been tipped to ditch the Premier League for a move to MLS or the Chinese Super League.

Stretford was seen leaving the Lowry on Wednesday morning, just minutes before the Manchester United manager – who has been living at the five-star hotel since he took over from Louis van Gaal in the summer.

As reported by Sportsmail last month, Stretford flew out to Beijing earlier this year and is continuing to explore the possibility of taking his client to the Far East.

A move to Everton, meanwhile, would require Rooney to take a pay-cut of at least £100,000-a-week while finding a deal in the US to suit him and his family could be a problem.

Manchester United are preparing for a crucial Europa League semi-final with Celta Vigo on Thursday.

Winning the competition remains United's best chance of securing Champions League football next season,after defeat at Arsenal on Sunday further dented their chances of finishing in the top four.

Mourinho's side welcome the La Liga outfit to Old Trafford on Thursday, having secured a 1-0 lead in the first leg last week.

Marcus Rashford scored the only goal of the game in Vigo, having been selected to lead the line in the absence of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Rooney, meanwhile, was left on the bench in Spain and resolving his future is a crucial job facing Mourinho this summer.



Rooney pictured checking into the Lowry ahead of the clash with Celta Vigo at Old Trafford

Rooney has been linked with a move to Everton as well the Chinese Super League and MLS

Stretford is tasked with resolving the 31-year-old forward's future, which remains uncertain