Official: Mourinho signed as Man United's coach.

Jose Mourinho has penned a contract to take over as Manchester United’s coach with the club expected to make a formal announcement on Friday.

The 53-year-old and his agent, Jorge Mendes, have been in talks United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, throughout the week and the Portuguese has finally put pen to paper on Thursday.

The duration of the contract is years, and Mourinho travelled to Manchester on Thursday to take official photographs for the announcement.

Red Devil sacked Louis van Gaal on Monday after two largely unsuccessful years at Old Trafford, giving Mourinho the chance to take over at the club that had been his first choice since he left Chelsea in December last year.

The ex-Real Madrid boss has discussed transfer targets with the Old Trafford hierarchy, with André Gomes, John Stones, Álvaro Morata, Mauro Icardi high on his wish list. Mourinho will have at least £150m to spend on players, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic a potential signing on a free transfer.

United have held talks with the 34-year-old Sweden striker but both parties want more time before they make a decision. Ibrahimovic said on Thursday that he had “concrete offers from clubs in England as well as Italy and from sides outside Europe” and talked of his admiration for Mourinho. “I had a fantastic time with him at Inter and we said when I left that we might work together again,” he said.

Asked whether he had spoken to Mourinho in the past week, Ibrahimovic answered: “I have spoken to Mourinho every day since I left Inter. We talk a lot.He is the man to bring Manchester United back to the top. If you want action, you get Mourinho. He is a winner.”