According to The Mirror, Jose Mourinho is in the market for experienced players rather than promising youngsters. The manager, in particular, is looking at Atletico Madrid centre-back Diego Godin and Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte. The United boss feels that the squad has enough number of young players and would prefer experienced players who can mentor the young squad and provide his team with the much-needed stability.
According to Steven Bates of The Mirror, Mourinho after having spent 5 months at Manchester United is happy with the number of youth players and would want to add steel to the backline by investing in some experienced defenders.
United have in general always been a club that has focused on youth, whether those were from their own academy or signed from other clubs. However, it is a known fact that Mourinho has always preferred experienced players who have the desired skill set needed by his teams. This is clear from how he has built his teams since the time has started managing top flight football.
Jose Fonte, the Southampton captain has been in the news after reports came out that he had refused to commit to his club. However, Fonte rubbished that news on Instagram and was quick to add that Southampton had not even offered him a new contract.
Such friction on the public portal is quite shocking and this most probably means that Fonte will be looking at leaving the club this January transfer window. The 32-year old played a huge role in helping his country, Portugal, clinch the Euro title this year.
Despite being linked to both Everton and Manchester United in the summer, the player did not move and continued to captain the Saints side. It is a known fact, that Jose Mourinho has been an admirer of his fellow Portuguese and this only makes the rumours more concrete.
Diego Godin, on the other hand, is a centre-half in the mould of a player that Jose Mourinho more often than not prefers. Physically strong and aggressive, Godin has been a rock at the back for his club Atletico Madrid who have enjoyed the fruits of having a player like him in the backline.
The Uruguayan is strong in the air and has contributed by scoring some absolutely crucial goals for his team. The 30-year-old has been an indispensable part of the Atletico Madrid squad and United will have to bring on a good deal on the table if they're serious about signing him.
It would be interesting to see how Mourinho chalks out a strategy and whether he goes for the better player in Godin or goes for a more achievable target in Jose Fonte who has just 18 months remaining on his contract.
