Jose Mourinho Reportedly Closing in on Manchester United Contract Extension

Jose Mourinho is reportedly set to sign a new contract and extend his stay as Manchester United manager.

The Red Devils have been in talks with Mourinho's representatives, and both parties are understood to be "confident" a new deal until the summer of 2021 will be agreed, the Mirror's David McDonnell noted.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss has been in the position for a little more than 18 months and has won the UEFA Europa League and the EFL Cup during that time span, encouraging belief he's the right man to take the club forward.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News detailed United's stance amid suggestions Mourinho could go elsewhere:

The Red Devils are second in the Premier League but 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, and they're set to take on Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in February.

It's only thought to be a matter of time until an agreement between United and the Portuguese is announced, with both parties seemingly happy with the current setup, per the Telegraph's James Ducker:

McDonnell noted the club's expected capture of Arsenal talisman Alexis Sanchez as proof of the club's loyalty to Mourinho and the vision he's projecting at Old Trafford.

However, Goal's Sam Lee questioned whether Mourinho had done enough to earn a new contract:

The 54-year-old is said to have the backing of United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward despite the gap separating his United side from runaway Premier League leaders City.

Mourinho's second spell at the Chelsea helm—prior to taking over at Old Trafford—ended after a miserable start to his third season in charge of the club, while his time at Real Madrid came to an end after three years.

United will hope to break Mourinho's recent trend of not advancing past the third season with any club, something he hasn't done since his first spell in charge of Chelsea, where he reigned from June 2004 to September 2007.