Mourinho's agent shuts down reports of Manchester United departure

Super-agent Jorge Mendes has stepped in for his client, Jose Mourinho, denying rumors the Manchester United manager is on his way out of the club in the near future.

Recent reports in some English tabloids, including one by Neil Ashton of the Sun, suggest the Red Devils' brass is eyeing Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino to replace Mourinho.

Mendes put those claims to rest in a statement Friday, dismissing the notions Mourinho is eager to leave of his own accord or that the club aims to sack him in the midst of its eighth-place standing in the Premier League table.

"There have been more rumors of Jose Mourinho leaving Manchester United. It's totally untrue," the agent said, courtesy of The Telegraph's Sam Wallace. "Jose is very happy at the club and the club is very happy with him. He has a long-term contract with Manchester United and is fully committed to the club in building a solid winning project."

Mourinho's third season in charge of United has been rife with controversy as the team continues to lag behind league leaders Manchester City; they are now 18 points adrift of their rivals following Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Most recently, the 55-year-old denied speculation that United players are deliberately underperforming amid ostensible frustration with his management.

The Portuguese boss, who in October said he was the victim of a "manhunt," has also publicly expressed his discontent with United's upper hierarchy this season after the club failed to acquire his preferred transfer targets over the summer.