Manchester United earmark their top replacement for Jose Mourinho

Manchester United will only consider replacing Jose Mourinho with Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the season, claims The Sun.

Mourinho has fallen short of expectations at United so far this season but the Portuguese still has the backing of chief executive Ed Woodward.

United believe Mourinho is the man to guide them back into the top-four, though they currently trail fourth-place Chelsea by eight points.

Mourinho only signed a new long-term contract at the start of the year and sacking the 55-year-old mid-season would prove too costly.

However, if Mourinho survives the rest of the season and fails to secure a top-four finish there is reportedly a clause that would reduce the amount of compensation United would have to cough up.

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has previously been linked with the Old Trafford hot seat but United only have eyes for Tottenham manager Pochettino.

The 46-year-old has transformed Tottenham into genuine contenders in the Premier League in the last few years and is regarded as one of the most exciting young coaches in Europe.

Tottenham rewarded Pochettino with a lucrative new five-year deal in May and United would reportedly have to pay in the region of £40m to prise him away from Tottenham.

Mourinho actually has a better win ratio as United manager (58.9%) than Pochettino at Tottenham (56.7%).