Unlucky Man United fans – looks like the Special One is heading elsewhere

All this debate on whether Jose Mourinho would be a good thing for Man United - it looks like it could be immaterial.

Reports in Spain say the Portuguese has already agreed in principal to replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United after the Dutchman presided over a fourth straight defeat at Stoke on Saturday. However The Sunday Times are reporting that Real Madrid are ready to welcome Mourinho back with open arms, with president Florentino Perez is desperate to get rid of Rafa Benitez. Third in La Liga, only three points behind Barcelona, comfortably through to the last 16 of the Champions League and coming off the back of a 10-2 hammering of Rayo Vallecano, Perez is still keen to get rid of the former Liverpool boss. Mourinho voluntarily left the Bernabeu in a toxic cloud of recrimination and bad blood in June 2013, but it seems Perez would have him back in a flash if it meant he could rid himself of Benitez before the end of the winter break. However, Duncan Castles in The Sunday Times understands Mourinho's preference would be a move to Old Trafford as his family could remain in London and he could make good on his promise to stay in the Premier League after himself and Roman Abramovich parted company. Sacked by one Champions League winner after an historically pathetic league title defence and you're immediately in demand with two more. He's right, he is a bit special.