Premier League transfer news: Barcelona star open to leaving Camp Nou to join Liverpool, Real Madrid contact Spurs for superstar and more - January 7, 2019

#3 United board vetoed Alderweireld

Alderweireld was wanted by Mourinho

Manchester United board vetoed a potential deal to sign Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, according to Sky journalist Pete Hall. The Spurs defender had been linked with the Red Devils in the summer but the deal never happened.

And now, Hall revealed that while the Portuguese manager wanted him, the board refrained from signing him because they weren’t sure how he would fit into Manchester United’s system, which employs a four-man backline rather than a five-man at Spurs.

“Let’s remember, the United board were not that keen on Alderweireld in the first place,” he was quoted as saying.

“Jose Mourinho wanted him, he was the one who said we want to bring Alderweireld in. However, the board vetoed that as there were doubts if he could play in a two.”

As a result, the Belgian remained with the Lilywhites but could be signed for only £25 million in the 2019 summer transfer window.