Manchester United transfer news: Madrid want Jose Mourinho as Lopetegui replacement and more – October 6, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Manchester United transfer roundup for the day! If reports are to be believed, then today could be the last day of Jose Mourinho as the manager of Manchester United.

So without further ado, we shall delve into the details…

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#5 Lorenzo Pellegrini

Over the course of the summer, Manchester United were linked with a number of players. One of them was Lorenzo Pellegrini. The Roma star is now once again being touted to move to the Old Trafford in the winter but Shaka Hislop doesn’t him want him to.

The problems at the Old Trafford are becoming apparent as days pass by. There are reports of Mourinho being sacked after the game against Newcastle. Even if he isn’t, the Portuguese seems to have lost the dressing room.

It is for this reason that the former West Ham shot-stopper is of the opinion Pellegrini shouldn’t move at this time. The uncertainty surrounding the future of Jose Mourinho means that it would be wise of Pellegrini to not move in the winter.

“Maybe (they would trust him to sign players),” Hislop was quoted as saying. “They continue to say they are backing Jose Mourinho.

“I know that Roma are trying to get Pellegrini to renew his contract.

“At the same time, despite the board’s continued faith, or seeming faith, in Jose Mourinho, I just feel that there’s too much going on behind the scenes there.

“If you’re a player like Pellegrini, who will continue to attract attention from other clubs, why United? Why right now?”

Speaking of Anthony Martial and his potential departure, Hislop claimed that he thought the former Monaco starlet would leave in the summer. However, the doubts surrounding Mourinho’s own future at the club might have made Martial opt for waiting out another season before making a final decision.

“I thought he would have left this summer,” Hislop said when asked if the Frenchman should leave.

“I’m going to put this down as a miss because I think everybody’s playing chicken as to who leaves first. Is it going to be player or manager?

"So I’m going to say a miss for right now because given the continued speculation around Jose Mourinho’s own future, maybe Martial thinks just sitting tight might be his best bet for now.”

#4 Sacked after the Newcastle game

Mourinho's decision day?

Jose Mourinho’s position as the manager of Manchester United seems like the most insecure role at the moment. Media outlets are having field-day writing reports on his future.

One of them is the Mirror, who claim that the Portuguese will be sacked after the Newcastle United game – regardless of what the result of that game should be. Meanwhile, Gary Neville is absolutely bewildered with this report and has shown his support for the former Real Madrid manager.

“The people in the boardroom at this moment in time are nowhere near good enough. They are playing football manager with the biggest club in the world,” he said.

“I hope Jose is there next week because I actually like him. I am sad if he goes and I have to say looking at his face he looked tired, fed up and beaten. The players look like they have had enough and I know some of them players. They aren’t bad lads.

#3 Zidane

Real Madrid Press Conference

One of the prime candidates to replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United is Zinedine Zidane. The former Real Madrid boss is among the managers shortlisted by the top hierarchy at the Old Trafford.

According to El Gol Digital, there might be some bad news for the Red Devils as another club are vying for his signature. Italian giants Juventus want the Frenchman to join them as the sporting director.

As a result, Manchester United have lined up for former Chelsea and Juventus boss Antonio Conte as another possible replacement for the former Inter Milan boss.

#2 Next destination

Lopetegui in danger

With this position as the manager of Manchester United seemingly untenable, it won’t be surprising to see Jose Mourinho hunt for his next job after he leaves his role as the manager at the Old Trafford.

This is what Don Balon seems to be reporting here, or at least that is what the essence is. They claim that while Florentino Perez is willing to give Lopetegui the time, he must turn things around quickly.

The Blancos haven’t been able to score in their last three games and have already lined up Jose Mourinho as a potential replacement for the former Spain boss.

#1 Pogba

The waiting game

There are two members at Manchester United whose future at the club is very uncertain. One is, obviously, Jose Mourinho and the other is Paul Pogba. The reason why there seems to be such chaos at the Old Trafford is due to the presence of these two figures.

So it feels like one of them will have to leave the Theatre of Dreams and according to Don Balon, Paul Pogba is aware of the fact that Zidane is a potential replacement for Jose Mourinho.

This means that he won’t be facilitating a move to Barca or Madrid and would rather stay at the Old Trafford to be a part of Zinedine Zidane’s project.