Manchester United could miss out on the opportunity to appoint Jose Mourinho as their next manager after Valencia offered the former Chelsea boss a way back into football, following the dismissal of Gary Neville.

The La Liga club sacked Neville after a miserable four-month spell that saw him relieved of his duties on Wednesday, with Valencia languishing down in 14th in the La Liga table and 20 points off the top four, where they had hoped to challenge after appointing the former United defender.

Valencia appointed Neville’s assistant, Pako Ayestaran, as his temporary replacement, but The Sun reports that talks with Mourinho actually began over a month ago with a view to the Portuguese returning to Spain.

53-year-old Mourinho has been holding out for the United job since being sacked himself by Chelsea in December after the Blues made a terrible start to the season. With Louis van Gaal under pressure to salvage United’s season in the form of a top four finish, speculation remains over the Dutchman’s future, and recent reports suggest Mourinho is simply waiting in the wings before taking the role on next season.

However, the Independent understands that Mourinho is yet to receive any official offer regarding the United job, and the relationship between Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and Valencia owner Peter Lim, suggests that a move to the east coast may not be as farfetched as it appears.

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Show all 11 1 /11 Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? John Stones Mourinho's admiration for the Everton defender is well known with the Portuguese coach understood to have been behind Chelsea's bids for the England international last summer. Everton refused to relent back then but an offer of even more money from Manchester United might be too tempting to turn down. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Cesc Fabregas Fabregas was understood to be on Manchester United's radar when he left Barcelona for Chelsea and the Spain international is of the quality that would improve United's current squad. Despite the reports that the former Arsenal player was among those who forced Mourinho out at Stamford Bridge, he was one of the few to speak publicly in glowing terms of Mourinho. "Thank you for all you have done for me," he wrote on Twitter. "I owe you a lot and we will all miss you. Good luck in the future." Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Gareth Bale Manchester United hold a long-term interest in Bale and Mourinho's arrival will only strengthen their determination to sign the Wales international. It's been suggested that the Real Madrid forward has been put off moving to Old Trafford due to the uncertainty surrounding the club, but the appointment of Mourinho would go a long way to dispelling fears that Manchester United are a club in flux. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Alvaro Morata Alvaro Morata has caught the eye of Arsenal, Chelsea and United, but the appointment of Mourinho as manager could give the Manchester club the advantage. Any move for Morata is likely to involve Real Madrid, and Mourinho's good relationship with his former club would help smooth over negotiations. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Raphael Varane Manchester United spent much of last summer pursuing Sergio Ramos, but a repeat attempt to sign the Real Madrid centre-back appears highly unlikely if Mourinho takes charge due to their tempestuous relationship during their shared time at the Bernabeu. A move for Ramos' fellow centre-back Varane does seem plausible though, with Mourinho signing the defender from Lens and giving him his opportunity at Real Madrid. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Paul Pogba Who doesn't want Paul Pogba? Despite claims the midfielder will move to Barcelona in the summer, nothing has been confirmed and while that remains the case the France international will continue to be linked with big-money moves elsewhere, including a return to Manchester United. Chelsea reportedly made a huge bid for the 22-year-old last summer, confirming that Mourinho is a fan. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Andre Gomes The Valencia midfielder emerged on United's radar before Mourinho was linked with the club, but he appears to be a fan of the 22-year-old. One problem will be Valencia's valuation, which currently sits in excess of £40m. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Luka Modric Mourinho revealed that he tried to sign Modric for Chelsea in 2014, confirming that a reunion with the player he worked with at Real Madrid appeals. It was Mourinho who signed the Croatian from Tottenham in 2012 and with the 30-year-old still operating at the top level on a consistent basis, he would certainly have something to offer Manchester United. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Joao Mario Joao Mario is wanted by Mourinho after the Sporting Lisbon midfielder impressed his compatriot. Valued at around £27m, the 23-year-old would be an expensive acquisition for United, but he could follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo in heading to Old Trafford from the Portuguese club. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Ezequiel Garay Garay worked under Mourinho at Real Madrid, but while he is being linked with a move to United, it's uncertain if he would be considered a first-team starter. Garay was sold by Mourinho to Benfica in 2011, having failed to impress the Portuguese, and he could be brought in to try and add the defensive depth that United are clearly lacking. Getty Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd? Mauro Icardi The Inter Milan captain has reiterated his commitment to the Italian side, but offers are still expected to be made for the 23-year-old with both United and Arsenal linked with the striker as well as Chelsea. Getty

It’s added that Lim would be willing to pay Mourinho up to £15m-per-year and give him a £100m transfer budget in order to rebuild a team that has failed both Nuno and Neville this season.

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"I want to thank Valencia, the fans, the coaching staff and players,” Neville said in a statement released shortly after his exit was confirmed.