Former Chelsea champion coach Jose Mourinho said that he prefers a summer takeover of Manchester United instead of dealing with it and replacing Louis van Gaal during the midseason, according to Caught Offside.

The report noted that the 64-year-old Dutchman, whose contract with the Red Devils will expire at the end of the season, is "set to survive" his Old Trafford job "until the summer" because of the 53-year-old Portuguese's decision to extend his time away from the sport.

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Speculations abound that Mourinho, who was sacked by the Blues in December only months after winning the English Premier League title, is being eyed by United officials as the heir to van Gaal's throne in Manchester.

Inter Milan director Bedy Moratti had recently disclosed that Mourinho already agreed in a deal with United to replace van Gaal as the team's new manager before the beginning of next season, saying that I Nerazzurri missed him "as a person, but right now he's happy, he's going to Manchester," as per The Guardian.

Mourinho seemed mum about the reports, though. Recently, he told Singaporean students at an event in the country that "I always feel that it's better to wait, not to rush, better to be calm, to wait for the right moment, the right move".

"I feel that starting the next season with a new club and project is probably the best thing for me," said Mourinho.

"I'm travelling, enjoying my family, enjoying my friends and my life, and I wait to see what happens. The reality is I like football so much, I miss football, and when I have the chance to be back I will come back," he added.

The event was a portion of Valencia chairman Peter Lim's Olympic scholarship program where Mourinho graced as one of the guest speakers.

Meanwhile, Red Devils executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and his group is reportedly deliberating the future of van Gaal as United manager right at the moment. 

TagsFootball News & Rumors, Jose Mourinho, Louis Van Gaal, Chelsea FC, Manchester United