Mourinho Pulls Out Of Old Trafford Charity Game

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has pulled out of Sunday's Soccer Aid charity game at Old Trafford.

He was due to manage an England XI including ex-Arsenal keeper David Seaman and former United defender Phil Neville, plus a host of celebrities.

It would have been Mourinho's first Old Trafford match since his appointment.

Former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss Mourinho, 53, is thought to have told organisers he had other commitments he wanted to focus on.

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce will take charge of the England team instead.

Mourinho was appointed on 27 May and visited United's Carrington training ground for the first time on Monday.

He was given a tour of the complex by the club's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and met club legend Sir Bobby Charlton during his seven-hour visit.

However, Mourinho is still to meet Ryan Giggs.

The Welshman's still has a contract as an assistant manager, although Mourinho's long-time associate Rui Faria is expected to be in that role next season.

The future of former winger Giggs - who holds the record for the most United appearances with 963 - has yet to be resolved.

The 42-year-old is on leave until Saturday but is yet to be contacted by Mourinho or Woodward - and is still to be told what role, if any, they have for him.

Until that situation changes, Giggs will not make a decision about whether to extend his 29-year stay at the club.

Meanwhile, midfielder Michael Carrick is expected to be staying on.

The 34-year-old is out of contract in the summer but a new one-year deal has been offered, with confirmation Carrick has signed likely to be announced in the next couple of weeks.

Credit: BBC Sport