Former Manchester United manager hopes to have second stint with club after dismal campaign

Jose Mourinho wishes to return to Manchester United as manager, but the club refuses to rehire him. Mourinho, who was fired by United in December 2018, has told confidants that he would "walk" back to Manchester to coach the club for the second time.

The two-time UEFA Champions League winner has become friends with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but Mourinho does not expect an approach from his previous team. In Crystal Palace's 4-0 hammering on Monday night, United's incumbent manager Erik ten Hag oversaw an English Premier League-era record 13th defeat of the season.

United are currently seventh in the Premier League rankings and might finish outside of the top seven for the very first time since 1990. United has endured 18 defeats this season, the highest in a season after 1977-78. 

Although United are still left to play Manchester City during the FA Cup final on May 25, Ten Hag's job is shaky amid a terrible season in which United were ousted from European tournaments entirely prior to Christmas and their League Cup defence collapsed at the second hurdle.

Erik Ten Hag comments on Manchester United’s loss against Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace's 4-0 destruction of United on Monday has put Erik ten Hag's side in an imminent risk of losing out on a European spot next season as unpleasant records continue to crumble. The defeat drops them to ninth in the Premier League and keeps them out of the European positions, while a victory over Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup would ensure a Europa League spot. Despite having ten first-team players down injured, Ten Hag did not pull out any punches.

They've taken 10 points from their last 11 Premier League games, but they've also allowed late goals to Fulham, Brentford, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Burnley. The Manchester United manager said, "It is clear and it is obvious.This is underperforming. We didn't act how we want to do it and it's by far not good enough."