Van Gaal 'heard of his sacking from Mourinho himself

"The ex-Chelsea manager rang his old Barcelona mentor in the past few weeks to confirm Old Trafford

chiefs had approached him about taking the hot-seat ," the paper reports.

"Mourinho rang the Dutchman, with whom he worked at Barcelona, himself to admit United had sounded him out about the Old Trafford job.

"Mourinho is said to have made the call in the last couple of weeks to preserve his long-standing friendship with Van Gaal, and to ensure there was no ill-feeling when it emerged he was the man United wanted." 

 he report adds that Van Gaal had "defiantly dismissed" reports of his sacking, but the Portuguese boss's call "left Van Gaal in no doubt he was a dead man walking" and that even a top-four finish - which was still a strong possibility at the time - wouldn't save him.

Mourinho reportedly met United chief Ed Woodward last week, agreeing a three-year deal worth £10 million-a-season plus up to a further £5m a year in bonuses.

The ex-Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid is also thought to have been promised total control over transfer policy, as well as team selection and scouting.