What Jose Mourinho has told ‘confidants’ about Man Utd return as new favourite emerges to replace Ruben Amorim

Jose Mourinho has already spoken to 'confidants' about a Manchester United return amid a new favourite emerging to replace Ruben Amorim as manager.

Amorim has been in charge of United since taking over the role from Erik ten Hag in December.

But United slumped to 15th in the Premier League table and lost in the Europa League final to Tottenham.

The club have spent big this summer on attacking reinforcements, though the goalkeeping situation is still yet to be addressed.

United fans have also called for a new central midfielder to be signed, while the club are currently unable to offload 'bomb squad' players Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia.

Amorim's side have only picked up one point from their two Premier League matches so far, losing 1-0 to Arsenal before a 1-1 draw against Fulham.

The Red Devils were more aggressive in both games and carried more attacking threat compared to last season but - as is common with United managers - pressure is slowly beginning to build on Amorim.

According to the latest odds, former England manager Gareth Southgate is the joint favourite, alongside Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, to take over if a change was to be made at Old Trafford.

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, who was sacked by Championship side Middlesbrough in the summer, is next at 5/1, with USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino and Ipswich's Kieran McKenna behind him.

Interestingly, Mourinho is not among the contenders tipped to be the next United manager, but Betfair rated him as the favourite at the end of last season should Amorim have departed.

Meanwhile, The Sun report he is being considered by Nottingham Forest if his compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo leaves the club.

The Manchester Evening News reported in March that Mourinho, who remains in charge of Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce, hadn't completely shut the door on a return to Old Trafford.

He is said to have told confidants that he would 'walk' back to Manchester and would be keen on a return to the side he managed between 2016 and 2018.

Publicly, however, he has backed Amorim to succeed at Old Trafford, stating in a recent interview: "I think we all agree he is a coach with great potential and character.

"With stability, I think he has in hands an incredible potential to do a great job at Manchester United."

Mourinho guided United to second place in the Premier League in 2017/18 and, despite winning the Champions League and multiple domestic league and cup titles in his career, described that as his one of his 'best achievements'.

"If I tell you that I consider one of the best jobs of my career was to finish second with Man United in the Premier League, you will say, 'This guy is crazy. He won 25 titles and he is saying that a second place was one of his best achievements?'," he told beIN Sports.

"I keep saying this because people don't know what is going on behind the scenes. And sometimes we, in this side of the cameras, analyse things with a different perspective."