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Jose Mourinho says Man United have two more options if Paul Pogba deal falls through

Blaise Matuidi and Nemanja Matic are rumoured to be on the club’s shortlist.

ACCORDING TO JOSE MOURINHO, he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if Paul Pogba doesn’t end up joining Manchester United but outlined how the club has two more midfield options if the deal doesn’t happen.

Speaking ahead of the club’s Champions Cup clash with Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday, Mourinho revealed that United’s shortlist has a number of names on it – not just one.

“We have one space for a midfield player”, he said.

Everybody speaks about one but it wouldn’t be a surprise to me if it’s not him and is another one. We went for profile and we have two more options in front of us and we’re going to close one.”

United are believed to have made a second bid for their former player earlier this week – thought to be around £90m – but his current employers – Juventus – are intent on holding out for closer to £100m.

Given United’s track record in failing to land top targets since Ed Woodward replaced David Gill, it would represent another substantial setback if Pogba doesn’t end up returning to Manchester.

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But Mourinho is adamant that there are other names in the mix, with Blaise Matuidi and Nemanja Matic rumoured to be the chosen ones.

“I gave Ed Woodward options since day one so he’s not feeling the pressure of ‘I need to get this player because he’s a player the manager wants’”, Mourinho outlined.

“The market is already difficult. My board needs to be calm and feel that we have other options. For the balance of my squad, I really need a midfield player but we have more options.”

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