Manchester United: Lassana Diarra could reunite with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra has suggested he would be open to reuniting with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. Diarra, 31, played for Mourinho at Stamford Bridge between 2005 and 2007 and had a spell at Real Madrid during the special one's tenure at Madrid between 2009 and 2012.

After disappointing spells in Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala and Lokomotiv Moscow, the midfielder has endured a remarkable turnaround back in France with Marseille, earning a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year and a spot in Didier Deschamps' France squad for Euro 2016.

A disappointing season for Marseille saw them finish 13<sup>th in Ligue 1 in the 2015-16 season, however. According to Diarra, that failure to qualify for the Champions League or Europa League next season has triggered a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave for free this summer.

And should his former manager make an approach in the coming months, the France international has indicated he will listen to his offer.

"I am a free agent," Diarra told L'Equipe. "There is a clause in my contract that allows me to leave if we did not qualify for European football. I do not want to enter a war with Marseille and I don't think there will be one. I hope Marseille will stick to their word.

"I will never forget Marseille and the fans, who showed me a lot of affection. I do not know yet where I will play next season. I am calm about my future, there's time. I have not signed for PSG.

"Mourinho? I know him well. I have enjoyed some great times with him. He is a coach I really like. But we will see what happens next season."

Following the departure of Louis van Gaal on Monday (23 May), Mourinho is expected to be confirmed as the new United boss imminently.