JOSE MOURINHO will be handed a £200m transfer war chest to turn Manchester United into Premier League champions next season.
Louis van Gaal signalled the end of his two-years in charge when he announced "it's over" as he left United's hotel the morning after guiding them to the FA Cup – their first trophy in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes will fly into Manchester on Tuesday to tie up a contract for his client to take over.
Van Gaal is understood to have been told on Sunday morning that his services were being dispensed with despite the FA Cup triumph.
It was their first in the competition since 2004 but the Dutchman has paid for United's failure to qualify for the Champions League as well as discontent among players and fans.
United were making no comment on developments last night but they were not denying the managerial change is about to happen.
Three members of the Glazer family who own the club – brothers Joel, Avram and Bryan – flew over from America to attend the cup final and congratulated the players in the dressing room after the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
But the decision to fire Van Gaal is understood to have been taken two weeks ago, as soon as the club could no longer qualify for next season's Champions League.
The club could confirm Van Gaal's departure today with an announcement when the New York stock exchange opens at 1pm British time, paving the way for Mourinho's appointment this week.
United will pay up the remaining year on the Dutchman's contract, worth around £6m, then give Mourinho a virtually open cheque book.
Nearly six months after being sacked by Chelsea, Mourinho is keen to start working on pre-season plans straight away.
Ironically, his first signing could be a free transfer – veteran Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose contract at Paris Saint-Germain has expired. They worked together at Inter Milan.
The speculation over Van Gaal's future overshadowed United's victory banquet on Saturday night. He is understood not to have made a speech.
One of Van Gaal's last acts as manager was to have his picture taken with Ferguson holding the Cup between them in the Wembley dressing room.
Ferguson is a big admirer of Mourinho who he described as "the best coach in the world" earlier this season before he was sacked by Chelsea.
Mourinho made no comments to the reports he was taking over United when attended David Haye's fight in London on Saturday.
