Manchester United have been one of the most active clubs in the summer transfer market and we could expect nothing less in January. Marca reports that manager Jose Mourinho is lining up a move to sign Real Madrid defender Kepler Lima, better known as Pepe – with whom he worked during his three-year stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.
This news comes after The Sunday Mirror reported that both Arsenal and Liverpool were considering bids for England international and Manchester United’s most important defender Chris Smalling. The defender was criticised by Jose Mourinho after their victory over Swansea City last week and reports have emerged that his time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end soon.
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Jose Mourinho criticised Smalling and suggested that the defender was unwilling to play through the pain barrier again Swansea City. However, there are now reports that Smalling could now be out for up to a month with an injury that looks like a broken toe.
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Pepe could be the ideal replacement in Mourinho’s mind, a player that Jose had a fantastic understand with during his time at Real Madrid. Mourinho utilised Pepe to his optimum, also experimenting him in defensive midfield roles during his time at Real. The Portuguese defender looked to be back in great form at the Euros and could fetch a decent price tag should Mourinho go for him.
The Sun also reported that Manchester United are tracking another player in Portuguese winger Bruma who players for Galatasaray in the Turkish League. It is reported that the 22-year old would cost Manchester United around £8 million. This could also mean Memphis Depay’s career at Manchester United might be coming to and end very soon.
Manchester United are now 6th on the table and will now face Arsenal when the Premier League resumes next week. This will be Mourinho’s first outing against Arsene Wenger with Manchester United and it could be a very interesting clash. The Portuguese manager has a long history with Arsene Wenger that dates back to his first stint with Chelsea.
The former Chelsea manager has infamously called Arsene Wenger a ‘specialist in failure’ which made its way to the headlines. However, in the last 12 month, it is Wenger who has been enjoying a much better time with Arsenal while Jose has had a terrible 12 months with Chelsea first and then Manchester United. Saturday’s game surely promises some spice.
