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Jose Mourinho will have to take a massive pay cut to land the Manchester United job.

Mourinho remains in pole position to take over at United, with Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal facing the sack.

United's run of six games without a win - including three successive defeats - has pushed Van Gaal to the brink at Old Trafford.

Mourinho, recently dismissed by Chelsea, is desperate to get straight back into management and has set his sights on the United job.

Van Gaal could even be given his marching orders before United's Boxing Day trip to Stoke, with the United board considering his position.

(Image: Man Utd/Getty)

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Mourinho, 52, is the man United will turn to post-Van Gaal, but the Special One will have to take a 50 per cent wage cut if he ends up at Old Trafford.

The ex-Chelsea boss was the best-paid manager in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, earning £12million a year.

But Mourinho will have to accept a salary of around £6m a year - currently what Van Gaal earns - if he is to take charge at United.

Mourinho has long coveted the United job, while Reds fans disillusioned with Van Gaal now want to see him take over at their club.

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Opposition to Mourinho's abrasive style of management is no longer an issue for the United board, and he remains the No.1 choice to succeed Van Gaal.

Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson questioned the wisdom of sacking Mourinho, just days before the Portuguese was axed by the Blues.

Ferguson, now on the United board, retains a close relationship with Mourinho and regards him as one of the finest coaches of all time.