REVEALED: How much it will cost Manchester United to sack Jose Mourinho

It will cost Manchester United £12m if they sack their manager Jose Mourinho this season.

The chances of Mourinho leaving the club have skyrocketed after a string of poor displays in pre-season, and Mourinho’s open frustration with Ed Woodward’s performance in the transfer market.

Mourinho had hoped for at least two defenders, a midfielder, a winger and a striker to act as back-up to Romelu Lukaku.

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So far United have signed Lee Grant, teenager Diogo Dalot and Fred, with no central defender arriving. United have been linked with Toby Alderweireld, Jerome Boateng, Yerry Mina and Harry Maguire, but nobody has arrived with the transfer deadline day looming.

Mourinho has two years remaining on his contract, which was extended last season, but the new deal stipulates that he is only entitled to a one-year payoff – £12m – if he is let go before the end of his deal.

A source told The Sun: “It became quite a protracted affair when it came to discussing a final settlement with Louis van Gaal.

“The club wanted to avoid a repeat of that again in the future – especially as Jose earns far in excess of what he did.

“Van Gaal held out for every penny but even United have to draw the financial line somewhere with Jose.”

The contract also allows for United to unilaterally extend the deal by another year should things improve at the club between the players, manager and board.

Ed Woodward has a history over negotiating poorly when it comes to players and staff. As well as haggling over Van Gaal’s exit, the club have found it hard to get rid of players like Daley Blind, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and others because they have been awarded such well-paid contracts.