Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho wants Axel Witsel because of fears over TWO current players
JOSE MOURINHO is plotting a summer move for Axel Witsel
The Manchester United boss is looking to bolster his squad after months of frustration at Old Trafford..
And Mourinho is reportedly keen on the Borussia Dortmund midfielder according to ESPN.
Witsel has become a regular in the Belgium national team under Roberto Martinez and recently won his 100th cap.
The Portuguese boss travelled to Brussels during the international break to scout the 29-year-old during the UEFA Nations League clash with Iceland.
Mourinho denied the reports and insisted the trip was purely to keep tabs on the fitness of his striker Romelu Lukaku, who eventually played no part in the game.
Brazilian international Fred has disappointed since arriving for £52million in the summer from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Now Mourinho has also become concerned about the form of two other midfielders.
Paul Pogba has been a different player from the World Cup winner we saw in Russia this summer.
The Frenchman was stripped of the vice-captaincy by Mourinho before being given a dressing-down on the training ground in front of cameras.
Nemanja Matic has also struggled for form raising doubts about the Serbian.
Witsel joined Dortmund for £18million in the summer after spending some time in the Chinese Super League with Tianjin Quanjian.
Lucien Favre’s side are currently four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and nine points ahead of Bayern Munich.
Having set sights on their first league title since 2012, it’s hard to see Dortmund letting Witsel leave mid-season.
United also have to make the decision whether a player who turns 30 in January is worth a hefty fee.
Mourinho will have to spend carefully considering his budget was restricted in the summer.
A centre-back remains their top priority and the club could return for Toby Alderweireld who will be free to talk with other clubs in January as he enters the final six months of his Tottenham contract.