Manchester United have unlikely rivals for the services of Jose Mourinho, with the Syrian FA understood to have made an approach for the former Chelsea coach.

The Portuguese manager has been pencilled in as Old Trafford’s first-choice replacement for Louis van Gaal, who has been tipped to be leaving Manchester at the end of the season following a miserable campaign with the Red Devils.

Despite being sacked by Chelsea earlier in the season after overseeing a remarkable decline with the reigning champions, Mourinho is still understood to be highly rated by the hierarchy at Old Trafford.

However, the Red Devils face competition for the manager’s signature, with the Syrian FA understood to have sent Jorge Mendes—Mourinho’s super agent—a letter which invites Champions League-winning Mou to take the hotseat with the Qasioun Eagles and to guide them to the 2018 World Cup, as per The Sun.h the Qasioun Eagles and to guide them to the 2018 World Cup, as per The Sun.

Should Syria succeed in their unlikely attempt to sign the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan coach, it would represent one of the most remarkable managerial coups in the history of the game.