Chelsea will demand a financial settlement from Manchester United that could reach several million pounds to pass on the trademark for José Mourinho, which the club have owned since 2006.

The Times has learnt that Chelsea own three separate Mourinho trademarks, which are due to expire between 2023 and 2025, and if retained would prevent United from attaching their new manager’s name to a wide variety of merchandise, including teddy bears, aftershave, computer games and football boots.

Until recently Mourinho’s former employers also owned the right to reproduce his signature, but that ten-year trademark expired earlier this year, shortly after he was sacked by Chelsea for the second time.

Chelsea’s ownership of the Mourinho trademark will not delay his appointment at Old Trafford, which is