The former Inter Milan man has been heavily linked with replacing Ferguson when the 71-year-old finally decides to call time on his tenure at Old Trafford.

When 50-year-old Mourinho was asked on Tuesday if he would be replacing his counterpart at United, he replied: "No, because we have to end our career at the same time. He at 90, me at 70."

Mourinho, speaking ahead of the Champions League round-of-16 first leg between Real and United on Wednesday, said his next job will in England, where he enjoyed a hugely successful spell in charge of Chelsea between 2004 and 2007.

"The Premier League will be my next step," he said.

Mourinho has been linked with a return to Chelsea and a move to United's cross-city rivals Manchester City.