Despite Raphael Varane already having stated that he plans to stay at Real Madrid into the coming season, Jose Mourinho has reportedly told Ed Woodward and co. that the Frenchman is the one he wants to solve the Red Devils’ leaky defence, claim Spanish outlet Don Balon. Mourinho is desperate to get his man wand wants him now, despite the player being keen to remain a Madrid player under his compatriot Zinedine Zidane, having started the first two games of the Spanish club’s season.
Mourinho worked with Varane during his time in Madrid and was a big admirer. This season Varane is expected to estabish himself as first choice alongside Sergio Ramos, a target for United last summer. Whilst Mourinho has made his demands clear to the board, it seems unlikely that Madrid would even contemplate a deal for one of their most valuable assets. Having been fooled around in negotiations over David de Gea and used as a pawn in contract talks with Sergio Ramos last summer, before pricing them out of a move for Paul Pogba this year, president Florentino Perez is not a fan of United, and is unlikely to sell a star player to them whatever the price.
Back at Old Trafford, Marouane Fellaini has made a good impression on the new Portuguese boss, who has given him a second chance by choosing him to start all three competitive fixtures so far this season and not missing a minute of action. The Sun claim that the Belgian had been earmarked as one to be culled this summer, but that he will now be given until Christmas to prove himself, and if successful, he will offered a two year extension to his contract to take it to 2020.
The 28-year-old will have to continue his current run of fine form to do enough, but that seems likely given how effective he was alongside Paul Pogba in midfield in the victory over Southampton. Fellaini’s discipline gave Pogba freedom to express himself, which Mourinho has been keen to allow, and it could see the two develop an interesting midfield partnership.
Another man whose Old Trafford future is in doubt is former Blackburn defender Phil Jones. With injuries restricting his development last season, Jones has struggled to impress Mourinho in pre-season and has not made any of the Portuguese gaffer’s matchday squads of 18 to date. Hull had been linked with a move before Steve Bruce’s departure, but now the Telegraph claim that Stoke City are lining up a loan offer for the central defender.
Mourinho is keen for Jones to go out on loan to get regular first team football to help his development, with the new boss believing that Jones should focus on his performances in central defence, rather than performing a utility man role who occasionally played at right back and in central midfield. Jones was once very highly rated and will see this season as vital if he is to reach his potential, and Mark Hughes may be the man to get the most out of him.
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