Quote:Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid contract will have a 'Manchester United escape clause' included.

The deal will allow him to move to Old Trafford should Sir Alex Ferguson step down, it has been revealed.

The Sunday Mirror says he will not leave anything to chance as he sets his sights on eventually succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

Mourinho is set to have an escape clause within his four-year Madrid deal. This will state that after serving Real for two years he will be able to move on – if their compensation requirement is met.

It is Ferguson’s decision to prolong his stay at Old Trafford that has led Mourinho to seek sanctuary at the Bernabeu.

Privately Mourinho admits United is the only job that interests him in England, despite frequently hinting that one day he would like to return to Chelsea.

Quote:The former Chelsea coach is set to be unveiled as Real Madrid's new manager, but will have a clause in his new contract that allows him to move to the Premier League.

The Special One has agreed a four year deal at the Bernabeu stadium after Inter Milan reluctantly allowed him to move to join the Spanish giants.

However, two years into his deal, Mourinho will be able to speak to any club providing they meet the required compensation.

He has - on a number of occasions - expressed his desire to one-day return to the Premier League, with Manchester United among the clubs rumoured to be interested.

It is believed that Mourihno, who spent three years at Stamford Bridge, was keeping close tabs on Sir Alex Ferguson's plans on retirement before making his decision to move to Real.

Ferguson has said that he vows to remain in the Old Trafford dugout so long as he is healthy enough to do so.

United chief executive David Gill has revealed that there is a "small list" of potential managers in line to succeed the Scot, with Everton's David Moyes another possible target.

On whether Mourinho featured on that list, Gill said "He's done well, hasn't he? He certainly has something about him. He's a winner."

Quote:Mourinho's move has played in to United's hands as it has given them breathing space to wait for the Scot to step aside. Privately, the club's board were worried he would be snapped up by rivals Liverpool or Manchester City in the interim.

The Portuguese today vowed to lift the Champions League with Madrid. He has been reported to have include a United 'escape clause' in his deal which will see him on the touchline at the Theatre of Dreams when Ferguson finally calls it a day.