Jose Mourinho guarantees trophies but I don’t think he’ll wait until 2017 to take charge of Manchester United – Joe Cole on talkSPORT

Joe Cole has told talkSPORT Jose Mourinho will not wait until the start of the 2017/18 season to take charge of Manchester United, despite the Red Devils wanting to keep Louis van Gaal around until then.

The Dutch boss has reportedly been promised the opportunity to stay at Old Trafford until the end of his contract, which expires at the end of next season.

However, Mourinho is unlikely to be keen on this change of heart from United, who have been pressing so hard to get the Portuguese boss tied down before the end of this campaign - reportedly even agreeing a deal with him.

They would not want to risk missing out on Mourinho completely, but Cole believes his former Chelsea manager will not want to wait for another whole year before getting back to work.

When asked if Mourinho would reject United’s advances if forced to wait until the 2017/18 season, Cole told the Two Mikes: “You would think so. Knowing him how I know him, he’d want to be back in work.”

The playmaker spent a trophy laden spell at Stamford Bridge under the 53-year-old, and Cole believes Mourinho is the best manager he has ever worked under, and will guarantee trophies for whichever club he eventually takes charge of.

The 34-year-old added: “He’s a top boss. I still think he’s the best I worked under.

“We get on really well know. I mean, we did have moments, but I learnt a lot from him, and I think he’ll be great at wherever he decides to come back to in the Premier League.

“They’ll be getting a really top manager, who more-or-less in this modern day guarantees trophies.”