Zinedine Zidane 'lined up by Bayern Munich' as Man United face competition for ex-Real Madrid boss

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is among the candidates to succeed Niko Kovac at Bayern Munich [Courtesy]

Manchester United may be forced into making a decision on Jose Mourinho's future amid interest from Bayern Munich in Zinedine Zidane.

The Portuguese boss remains fearful that the United board are planning to replace him despite Saturday's dramatic victory over Newcastle.

Mourinho seemed destined for the sack when his side trailed 2-0 at half-time before delivering a stunning comeback to emerge victorious.

But that may do little to save the United boss, who will meet with United chief Ed Woodward in London later this week.

If Mourinho is set to stay on as manager, he is likely to give the United board some potential transfer targets for January.

However, if reports from France are to be believed, United may well have to think about axing Mourinho now in order to land top target Zinedine Zidane.

Niko Kovac has not impressed at Bayern So far [Courtesy]

Zidane remains the odds-on favourite to take over at Old Trafford after leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season.

His agent has played down talk of him moving to United but it remains to be seen if his stance would change if an approach was made.

RMC report Zidane is also on Bayern's radar if they decide to axe boss Niko Kovac.

The Croatian is already fighting for his job despite taking over the Bundesliga champions in the summer.

Bayern were thumped 3-0 at home by Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday and haven't won any of their last four matches in all competitions.

It is claimed Zidane leads a three-man wishlist that features countrymen Arsene Wenger and Laurent Blanc.

Zidane is said to be leading a three-man wishlist including Arsene Wenger and Laurent Blanc [Courtesy]

Should Bayern pull the trigger and axe Kovac, it appears they would head straight for Zidane in their search for a replacement.

It means United could well miss the opportunity to snap up the three-time Champions League winner by keeping faith with Mourinho.

Can they afford to wait this one out?