Jose Mourinho favourite for Real Madrid job

Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly emerged as Real Madrid's leading option to replace current manager Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui has been on the firing line over the past few weeks and a run of five winless games which has included four losses has put him on the brink of being sacked.

According to El Chiringuito, Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is already considering a change ahead of next weekend's El Clasico against league leaders Barcelona.

It is added that Mourinho is the prime target on their radar despite the Portuguese's acrimonious exit from the Bernabeu during his first spell in charge in 2013.

Mourinho has come under pressure from a section of the supporters following the club's uncharacteristic start to the season but he is nevertheless content with his current position.

As such, Los Blancos don't seem to have any advantage in the manager's pursuit with the United hierarchy said to back the Portuguese to turn the club's fortunes around.

United have managed just four wins from their opening nine league matches and they are currently lying in the 10th position with a nine-point gap to table-toppers Manchester City.