After being heavily linked with the Spain central defender in the summer of 2014, it appears that Jose Mourinho could now be going back in for Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos. The 30-year-old then signed a contract extension until 2020 with the Madrid club, with many accusing him of taking advantage of United to earn better terms for himself in his new deal negotiations. Now, Calciomercato say that the Red Devils could be preparing a £42 million bid for Ramos, who worked with Mourinho when the Portuguese manager was in charge at the Bernabéu.
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Whether or not the interest from both parties is now real remains unclear, with Ramos one of the key men in a Champions League winning side. However, United are likely to be able to rival anything Madrid can offer in terms of wages, and after a long period at the club the former Sevilla player may fancy a new challenge as he nears what could be the final stage of his career. Having scored and conceded a penalty for Zinedine Zidane’s side last night, this story could be one to keep an eye on over the coming months.
Paul Pogba made a return to Old Trafford after moving away as he failed to earn first team football having come through the youth ranks, and another similar case could follow according to the Sun, as the club ponders a move for title winning midfielder Danny Drinkwater. With a £30 million price tag on his head, Ed Woodward and co. believe that the deal could be achievable despite the Leicester star having recently signed a £90,000 a week five year contract with the Foxes.
Mourinho believes that Drinkwater could help to get the best out of Paul Pogba, with the 26-year-old playing in a holding role which would allow the Frenchman more room to roam forwards and produce some of the form which he showed for Juventus and France to earn his £89 million summer move. Having left the club in 2012 to head to Leicester in the Championship, Drinkwater may welcome a return if it can help him force himself into the England reckoning, with Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce both seemingly reluctant to find him a role in the starting eleven.
After victory over Northampton Town last night, the Red Devils will now face a tough challenge as they have been drawn up against their city rivals as Pep Guardiola and his side will return to Old Trafford in just over a month in the EFL Cup. Mourinho may well have hoped for an easier tie, having been beaten by Guardiola once already this season.
If United are to compete for titles this season, as they may hope to do given the heavy spending in the summer, then they will have to beat the best. City saw off Swansea, whilst United required second half goals from Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera to give them victory after going in level at half-time.
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