The 53-year-old Portuguese replaces Dutchman Louis van Gaal whose two-year reign at Old Trafford ended on Monday when he was sacked two days after United won the FA Cup. “Jose is quite simply the best manager in the game today. He has won trophies and inspired players in countries across Europe and, of course, he knows the Premier League very well, having won three titles here,” United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said in a statement. “I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him to Manchester United. His track record of success is ideal to take the club forward.” Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea in December, had been widely expected to succeed Van Gaal and his agent Jorge Mendes met United officials on Tuesday to discuss personal terms. The talks with the former Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager became protracted, however, when it emerged that Chelsea, who sacked Mourinho in December, still owned his name as a trademark. Now the stage is set for the marriage of two of world soccer’s biggest names – Mourinho, the manager who collects trophies wherever he goes, and Manchester United, England’s most successful club and a global giant. “To become Manchester United manager…