Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their interest in Pep Guardiola after slipping to defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 on the South Coast just four days on from their hugely disappointing Champions League exit.
It is now five games without a win for United, whose perceived bland style of play has seen Louis van Gaal come under increasing pressure in recent months.
Now, according to ESPN, club chiefs have "significantly upgraded" contact with Guardiola in the hope of fending off rumoured interest from rivals Manchester City.
It is claimed that Van Gaal's time at Old Trafford could be coming to a premature end, with more than a year still left to run on the three-year deal signed in the summer of 2014.
City are also thought to be long-term admirers of the current Bayern Munich chief, who has hinted in the past that he could be open to a Premier League switch at the end of the season.
No deal is expected to be put in place until after the January transfer window, however, as Van Gaal is given one final chance to get things right at United.
