Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: Portuguese refuses to rule out Inter Milan return in future

The Portuguese guided Inter to a stunning treble in 2010, including the Champions League before leaving for Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho signs autographs for Inter Milan supporters while visiting his former club (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out returning to manager Inter Milan in the future after meeting with the San Siro hierarchy this weekend.

The Portuguese guided Inter to a stunning treble in 2010, including the Champions League before leaving for Real Madrid, where he later lifted the La Liga title.

Mourinho spent Saturday with his former employers watching the Italian giants play Sampdoria but has previously resisted the temptation to discuss taking over again.

With speculation rife about the 53-year-old replacing Louis van Gaal at Manchester United in the summer, or sooner if their disastrous form continues, the former Chelsea manager appears to have changed tact.

“This is like coming back home to a family,” he told Milan media. “It feels like it's been six days more than six years since I've been away.

“The greatest thing about football, more important than results or victories, is the human rapport and friendship that remains.

“Could I return [to Inter] one day? Why not. I returned to Chelsea, so why not back to Inter too? I just want everything to go well for the current president and Roberto Mancini at Inter.”

United, meanwhile, are currently six points adrift of the Premier League top four and lost to Danish champions Midtjylland in the Europa League round-of-32 on Thursday night.

Inter director Bedy Moratti accidentally revealed on Saturday night that Mourinho “is happy, he’s going to Manchester United”.

The sister of former club president Massimo Moratti and honorary president of the supporters’ group Inter Club spoke as she left a lunch meeting with the Portuguese and her family.

“Of course he’s always fantastic and we missed him as a person here,” she said.

When she was asked if that meant he might return to Inter, she added: “No, he’s happy now, he’s going to Manchester.”