Jose needs Fergie's blessing to get United job

Jose Mourinho will only become Manchester United’s manager this summer if Sir Alex Ferguson chooses to step aside for the self-anointed Special One. Reports claim that Mourinho is ready to walk away as boss of Real Madrid despite his side being seven points clear of Barcelona in La Liga this season. But his apparent desire to leave the Bernabeu will not be something the Old Trafford hierarchy respond to unless Ferguson, 70, decides to retire. Mourinho has encountered a number of off-the-field problems at Real - not least with Spain full back Sergio Ramos - and is said to be tired of the politics. His availability would alert a number of Barclays Premier League clubs when he has long expressed a desire to return to England. Having approached him before, the Football Association would almost certainly ask him if he would consider succeeding Fabio Capello this summer, even if Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp remains the front-runner. But United would be among the leading clubs Mourinho would see as his next move, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all possibilities in the right circumstances. Ferguson is fond of Mourinho and, while there would be some concern among the United powerbrokers that he courts too much controversy, the Portuguese would be seen as someone who could all but guarantee continued success at the club. The only problem is the timescale. The 49-year-old was expected to remain in Madrid for another season or two, enabling Ferguson to satisfy his desire to remain manager long enough to win a third European Cup. Only recently he spoke of wanting to work for another three years. Ferguson, however, would have to step down sooner if he did not want to see Mourinho working elsewhere. Real Madrid increased the pressure on pursuers Barca in La Liga by beating strugglers Real Zaragoza 3-1 at home on Saturday, while Pep Guardiola’s men fought out a goalless draw at Villarreal. Angel Lafita gave Zaragoza a shock lead at the Bernabeu after a quickly taken free-kick in the 11th minute, but Kaka levelled, Cristiano Ronaldo tapped in his 24th league goal of the season and Mesut Ozil netted Real’s third.