Potential collision at United could be key to Mourinho's future

The former Manchester United manager could currently face his former team in the Europa League final.

22/03/2023, 04:29 PM +00:00

Jose Mourinho is being linked with a return to Real Madrid this summer amid financial problems at current club Roma. The Italian outfit was one of 10 clubs sanctioned by UEFA last summer as prize money was withheld from it as part of settlement agreements made with European soccer's governing body due to failure to meet break-even financial requirements.

A further fine of 35 million euros could follow if Rome continues to fail to meet targets set over the next four years under Financial Fair Play regulations. It means the players could be sold if Roma don't make it to the Champions League.

Mourinho's team won the first edition of the Europa Conference League last year to qualify for this season's Europa League. The club from the capital last qualified for the Champions League four years ago. Roma currently sit fifth in the table, one point behind fourth-placed Milan, after losing three of their last four games. And while Champions League qualification via Serie A remains a distinct possibility, another route is via the Europa League.

Mourinho notably won the competition with Manchester United in 2017, securing elite European football. His former club may prevent him from repeating that trick this season. The two teams are on opposite sides of the draw, which means that if they each advance to the quarterfinals and semifinals, they will meet in Budapest at the end of May. The loss could have huge ramifications for Mourinho and Roma in the summer transfer window.

What is the news of Mou? This is the possibility of him returning to Old Trafford.

Media outlets in Italy are reporting that Roma could be forced to sell stars, including Tammy Abraham, who was linked to United earlier this year. And that could also have Mourinho jumping out of the shop with reports suggesting he is in line to return to Real Madrid to replace Carlo Ancelotti, whose future is uncertain given Barcelona are clearly at the top of La Liga and the Italian has been linked to the work of the Brazilian national team.