Manchester United confident of keeping Jose Mourinho despite uncertainty over his long-term future

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Manchester United are confident that Jose Mourinho will not walk away from Old Trafford despite the uncertainty over his long-term future at the club.

Mourinho has evaded questions about extending his contract at United beyond June 2019 after flirting publicly with Paris Saint-Germain last month.

That was followed by two defeats in three Premier League games, to Huddersfield and Chelsea, and criticism in some quarters of United's lack of enterprise under the Portuguese coach.

Manchester United are confident Jose Mourinho will not quit before the end of his contract

Mourinho has clearly been stung by the change in mood after guiding United to second place in the table and the brink of Champions League qualification with a 100 per cent record after four games.

However, it's understood United have no concerns that he could be tempted to quit before the end of his contract if an offer comes in from a European heavyweight like PSG.

They are satisfied that the 54-year-old manager still has the same hunger and desire to succeed, having delivered the Europa League and League Cup in his first season at the club, and are comfortable with the fact that he continues to live at the Lowry Hotel after 16 months in the job.

Although the Old Trafford hierarchy will not be rushed into offering Mourinho a new contract as he reaches the midway point of his current deal, they are open to the prospect of him staying for some years yet.

They believe that United's early-season form has been viewed harshly because of Manchester City's spectacular start under Pep Guardiola, which has seen their neighbours surge eight points clear at the top of the table and also make impressive progress in Europe.

The Old Trafford hierarchy are open to the prospect of Mourinho staying for some years yet

That has helped to fuel criticism of United's performances and, in particular, the negative approach in the goalless draw away to Liverpool last month which, the club feel, would otherwise have been viewed as a well-earned point.

However, Mourinho could do with a win over his old rival Rafa Benitez when Newcastle visit Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon to quell any sense of discord around the club.

There have also been reports of friction between him and the board over United's transfer plans, leading to questions about how much he will have to spend in January.

United have already backed their manager to the tune of £285million, and were prepared to spend another £45m on Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.

It's believed that funds will be available again in January if required, although the club would prefer to do their business in the summer.

United sit second in the Premier League, eight points off leaders Manchester City

United will also trigger 12-month contract extensions for Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Ashley Young as a matter of course to protect their investment on five players who would otherwise be free agents at the end of the season.

It is still hoped that Shaw can have a future at Old Trafford, but that looks increasingly unlikely after the England left-back played just 48 minutes of first-team football in the Carabao Cup this season.

Shaw was due to appear in a reserve-team game against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday but did not play.

Marcos Rojo made a 45-minute appearance in that game as he moves closer to a first-team return along with other long-term casualties Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.