Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly emerged as Real Madrid's first-choice target to take over from current boss Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui's future at the Bernabeu is thought to be under threat just 12 matches into his reign after he lost four and won none of their last five outings across all competitions.

A 2-1 home defeat to Levante on Saturday piled more pressure on the former Spain manager as Madrid recorded the longest goal drought in the club's history before finally finding the back of the net for the first time in almost a month.

Madrid president Florentino Perez is considering a change ahead of next weekend's El Clasico against Barcelona, and Spanish outlet El Chiringuito reports that the club's hierarchy have identified Mourinho as the number one choice to replace him.

Any return to the Bernabeu for Mourinho would come as a surprise considering his acrimonious exit from the club during his first stint in charge in 2013.

Mourinho has since come under intense pressure at Manchester United following their poor start to the campaign, but the report claims that Madrid still regard him as a top-class manager.

The 55-year-old won La Liga and the Copa del Rey during his time as Madrid boss between 2010 and 2013.